“Violent Deaths and Strange Weather: The Top Stories of 2023 in Ventura County”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Editor’s note: This article is the fifth in a series highlighting The Star’s top stories of the year. Listed in no particular order, these news events were chosen by the staff and organized by topic.

From violent deaths to unusual weather patterns, 2023 was a year filled with breaking news stories in Ventura County. The county experienced a range of events, including crime twists, a train derailment, agricultural quarantines, and a tragic death during a protest. In this article, we delve into the details of these major stories and provide a comprehensive overview of the events that shaped Ventura County in 2023.

Crime took center stage in Ventura County throughout the year, with several high-profile cases making headlines. One notable case involved the acquittal of a man accused of murder in a brutal double stabbing in the Ojai area. Another case saw an arrest made in the 26-year-old shooting of a Thousand Oaks bank teller. In a shocking incident, an alumnus of Westlake High drove into a crowd of students, killing a 15-year-old he didn’t know. Additionally, a retired Ventura police officer went on a rampage, killing three people at an Orange County biker bar.

In June, an Amtrak train derailed in rural Moorpark after colliding with a Ventura County water truck. The Coast Starlight train, bound for Seattle, had approximately 200 passengers on board. Although only 16 people were transported to local hospitals, the water truck driver, a county Public Works Agency employee, sustained serious injuries and was taken to a trauma center. Fortunately, three of the 14 train cars derailed but remained upright, minimizing the impact of the accident.

A retired Ventura Police Department sergeant shocked the community when he was identified as the gunman in a mass shooting at an Orange County biker bar in August. John Snowling, a former sergeant who had worked for the Ventura department for nearly three decades, killed three people and injured several others, including his estranged wife, before being shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies. Snowling, who had been living in Ohio at the time of the shootings, had a house in Camarillo that was searched by Orange County authorities.

Tragedy struck in April when a local man embarked on a crime spree that culminated in the death of a Westlake High School student. The suspect, Austin Allen Eis, allegedly stabbed a Walmart employee in Simi Valley before driving his car into a group of students outside the school, killing 15-year-old Wesley Welling. Several other students were injured in the incident. Eis, who had attended the school but did not know the victims, now faces multiple charges, including murder and attempted murder.

Ventura and Los Angeles counties faced state-issued quarantines due to invasive insects. Two Queensland fruit flies were found in Thousand Oaks, prompting a months-long quarantine in parts of eastern Ventura and western Los Angeles counties. This was the first quarantine of its kind in the western hemisphere and aimed to prevent the spread of the fruit fly, which poses a significant threat to fruit and vegetable crops. Additionally, Asian citrus psyllids, carriers of the disease huanglongbing, were discovered in Ventura County, leading to a citrus quarantine in the area.

Tensions rose during protests surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, resulting in the death of a pro-Israel demonstrator named Paul Kessler. Kessler died after an altercation during competing protests in Thousand Oaks. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office charged Loay Alnaji with involuntary manslaughter and battery in connection with Kessler’s death. Alnaji, a Moorpark College computer science professor, has pleaded not guilty. The incident heightened apprehension among local Jews and Muslims, leading to discussions about promoting understanding and unity in the community.

In an unexpected turn of events, Ojai experienced a “hurriquake” in August. As the remnants of Hurricane Hilary passed through the area, an earthquake rattled the city, causing minor structural damage. The 5.1-magnitude earthquake disrupted daily life, knocking over wine bottles in grocery stores and dislodging a bell at Thomas Aquinas College. Fortunately, no significant injuries were reported, and county authorities deemed the damage to be minor.

In a highly publicized trial, an Ojai Valley man was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for fatally stabbing two women in 2019. Shawn Shirck received a sentence of six years and four months in prison. However, due to time already served in county jail, Shirck was released shortly after his sentencing. Jurors agreed with the defense’s argument that Shirck was unable to form the intent to commit murder due to alcohol consumption and unconsciousness. The case was described as one of the most gruesome in Ventura County’s history.

In conclusion, 2023 was a year marked by a series of impactful events in Ventura County. From crime twists to natural disasters and agricultural quarantines, the county faced numerous challenges. The community mourned the loss of lives, rallied together during protests, and worked to overcome the hurdles posed by invasive insects. These stories reflect the resilience and strength of the people of Ventura County as they navigated a year filled with unexpected events..