Newly released bodycam footage shows Oxnard police officers firing multiple rounds at a machete-wielding suspect inside a crowded Mexican restaurant after terrified customers fled for their lives and two employees remained trapped inside with the armed man.
Armed Confrontation Unfolds
Officers responded to reports of a man swinging a machete near Saviers and Pleasant Valley roads on April 20. By the time police arrived, the suspect—identified as Anastacio Meneses—had entered the restaurant. Officers evacuated several patrons from the business, but two employees could not escape and remained trapped inside with the armed suspect. The bodycam video captures the tense moments as officers confronted Meneses, who grabbed the machete and lifted a table before advancing toward law enforcement.
Suspect Shot Multiple Times
One officer fired at Meneses, striking him and sending him to the floor. Moments later, the suspect got back on his feet and rushed directly at officers, prompting additional gunfire from police. After the second round of shots, officers deployed a K-9 unit to drag Meneses out of the restaurant. During the struggle to remove him from the business, the police dog was struck by the machete, according to authorities. The condition of the K-9 officer and whether the animal required medical treatment has not been disclosed by the department.
Use of Force Questions
The incident raises questions about police response to armed suspects in confined public spaces where civilians are present. Officers faced a difficult tactical situation with employees trapped inside and an armed individual who refused to surrender. The decision to engage Meneses inside the restaurant came after evacuation efforts left workers still in danger. Police have not released information about the suspect’s condition following the shooting or whether criminal charges will be filed. The department’s use-of-force review is expected to examine whether officers followed proper protocols when confronting an armed suspect in a location with potential hostages and whether less-lethal options were available before opening fire.
Police should not have to worry about repercussions after facing an individual with a weapon. They should only need to warn the victim once make sure they have a clear shot and end the confrontation.
Law enforcement lives are just as important any other person and need not have to put their lives on the line from any armed person.
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Are my eyes decieving me, or is that machette still sealed in the manufacturer’s retail packaging?!?!? (@ 0:15 thru 0:21)
Get your eyes checked. The shiny surface of the naked blade shows a weapon fully lethal. I was in law enforcement for many years. I have witnessed numerous demonstrations where an armed officer (weapon in holster) was attacked by a person with a knife. If the attacker was within 30 feet, the officer was always stabbed. The officers responded correctly and, in my opinion, should have fired until he was clearly knocked down. A machete is a horrible weapon and 100% lethal. I have seen several machete attacks and they all left the victims with severe life altering conditions. I really am ticked off with the person questioning that the officers could have used less lethal methods to stop the assailant. The assailant chose his destiny when he choose the weapon, not the police officers. Unless one has experienced a situation like this, do not question the officers response.
You contradict yourself – A machete cannot be 100% lethal if there are victims that have life altering conditions.
And secondly, it doesn’t say much for the cops you claim were always stabbed if within 30 feet of a knife wielding attacker – they were either poorly trained or just plain inept!
And yes I have experience – 22 years in Special Forces, with missions in El Sal, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and S. America where machetes and knives are very common weapons. And many missions to train law enforcement (Border Patrol, sheriff departments in AZ and NM, etc.) in CQB. I found most of them to be low IQ and hired because they do what they’re told, not because they are intelligent. The majority of “cops” enforce laws that are NOT LAWS or unconstitutional and are offended when a civilian stands up for their RIGHTS! Example: EVERY cop that has issued a ticket to someone for NOT having a Driver’s License while riving their personal automobile or not having their personal vehicle registered and titled (tagged), has committed state sanctioned FRAUD and violated that person’s rights. The DMV rules/regulations only pertain to persons or vehicles for hire (tuckers, post office, taxi drivers, delivery drivers, etc.), but NOT people who are engaged in personal travel. Even the Supreme Court has rule o this several times. That is just one example of many!
I think the Officers did exactly what needed to be done at the time and was able to safely take the suspect into custody and no one else was injured, except the Dog which is considered an Officer and the suspect should be charged with assaulting a Officer.
Great job. The police did what they should have. If we were able to live in a peaceful country and the Dems would quit using the derisive tactics and distorted words, we would be in a better place. God bless our military, police, ice and all of our patriots.