Santa Paula police shooting under investigation
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Police Department on Tuesday released the name of the police officer involved in a non-fatal Oct. 6 shooting that stemmed from a domestic dispute call.
Senior Officer Scott Varner shot Phillip Guevara, 44, following a domestic dispute call shortly before noon on Oct. 6.
According to police Chief Steve MacKinnon, Varner and Officer Walter Harper responded to a call from Guevara’s stepmother reporting erratic threatening behavior on the part of Guevara.
MackKinnon said the officers were “confronted in the residence garage by Guevara brandishing a sharp-edged weapon,” whereupon two shots were fired, hitting Guevara in the legs.
Guevarra, MacKinnon said, “placed both of our officers in immediate danger.”
MacKinnon would not further characterize Varner’s actions pending an investigation by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office into the use of deadly force, a standard protocol in such circumstances. A six-year department veteran, Varner has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Guevara did not reside at the residence where the shooting occurred, and was accused by his stepmother of refusing to leave the property and threatening her safety. He was taken to Ventura County Medical Center in serious but stable condition. Charges are pending the results of the district attorney investigation into the shooting.
