Oxnard police shoot machete-wielding man inside restaurant, video shows

Oxnard police officers responding to reports of a man swinging a machete shot the suspect inside a restaurant near Saviers and Pleasant Valley roads on April 20 after he charged at them with the weapon, according to surveillance video released by ABC7 Los Angeles on Thursday.

The confrontation — captured on surveillance camera and released nearly three weeks after it occurred — renews scrutiny of how Southern California law enforcement responds to calls involving suspects armed with edged weapons.

Officers arrived at the restaurant near Saviers and Pleasant Valley roads after receiving 911 calls about a man swinging a machete in the area, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Most patrons managed to evacuate before police entered the building, but two employees were unable to get out.

Inside the restaurant, the suspect — identified by Oxnard police as Anastacio Meneses — lifted a table and advanced toward officers with the machete, ABC7 reported. One officer opened fire, and Meneses fell to the floor.

Meneses then rose and charged at officers a second time. Officers fired additional shots and deployed a police K-9 to subdue him, according to ABC7.

The police dog was struck by the machete during the struggle but recovered from its injuries and returned to duty, ABC7 reported. No other injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Meneses was taken into custody at the scene. Oxnard police released the surveillance footage on May 8, roughly three weeks after the confrontation took place.

As of Thursday, the Oxnard Police Department had not released information on charges filed against Meneses or the administrative status of the officers who fired their weapons.