17-year-old in critical condition after officer-involved shooting in Oxnard

OXNARD, Calif. (FOX 11) - A 17-year-old teenage girl is fighting for her life in a hospital after being shot by Oxnard police Friday morning.

The officer-involved shooting happened at 480 N. Rose Avenue in Oxnard on May 3. Police received a report of a woman waving a knife in the parking lot behind some businesses. The first arriving officer quickly located the girl.

Oxnard police say the girl brandished a large kitchen knife at the officer, the officer drew his gun and ordered her to drop the knife several times. They say the girl ignored the officer's orders and began walking towards the officer as the officer retreated backwards to create space between them.

"As the second officer arrived on scene, the female ran directly towards the first officer with the knife in her hand. The officer fired his weapon and the female was struck by gunfire," said a news release from the Oxnard Police Department.

The 17-year-old has not been identified by authorities due to her age but police say officers rendered first aid to her until medical personnel arrived and was rushed to the hospital. The teen is in critical but stable condition, police said. The officer was not injured.

Police officials say the entire incident was captured on the officer's body-worn camera and during the encounter, the girl made "a statement indicating that she wanted the officer to shoot her."

The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, according to standard protocol during officer-involved shooting investigations. The officer was not immediately identified but the police department says that the officer has been employed with the department since April 2015.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about this case is asked to call Detective Jeff Kay at 805-385-8174.