SP teenager shot through window at Ventura motel known as a gang hangout
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: February 09, 2000
Ventura Police investigators believe a Santa Paula teenager was shot by mistake on Friday when a bullet crashed through a motel room window where a party was taking place.
Cyndi Ellison, 18, was struck in the side but didn’t suffer a major injury, according to Ventura Police Lt. Roger Nustad.
The shooting occurred at Motel 6, located at 3075 South Johnson Drive in Ventura at about 10:30 p.m. on February 4.
Investigators believe the shooting was gang-related but not that Ellison was shot intentionally; the drapes were drawn inside the room, blocking the view from the outside, and there several other people in the room when the bullet crashed through the window.
Ellison was taken to Ventura County Medical Center where she was treated and released; her injury was described as a flesh wound with the bullet grazing her side.
The shooting drew the attention of the Ventura Police Special Enforcement Team due to the belief the incident stemmed from gang activity. In addition, the Motel 6 has been targeted for regular gang activity occurring on the premises, including room rentals for parties. Recently there were five arrests of suspected gang members after a fight broke out at a party in a rented room.
A Ventura Police spokesman said the investigation into the shooting of Ellison is continuing, but potential witnesses are not being cooperative, a stance almost always affiliated with gang-related criminal activity.
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