Simi Valley Police Department – Incident Press Release
On June 17, 2021, at about 2:14 am, Simi Valley Officers were dispatched to a road rage incident with a possible shooting into a vehicle. The victim of the alleged shooting called Simi Valley Police as he was following the suspect’s vehicle. A short time later, Officers arrived at the location of the victim and suspect, wherein a pursuit of the suspect vehicle began. The pursuit occurred within the city and ultimately ended on the 118 FWY near Rocky Peak. The sole occupant of the suspect vehicle was taken into custody without incident.
The victim, a 23-year-old Moorpark resident, provided a statement to police regarding the event. While traveling westbound on the 118 FWY, the suspect vehicle may have attempted to race the victim. Eventually, both he and the suspect exited, ultimately stopping in the area of 1st St. and Simi Town Center Way. The suspect exited his vehicle and began arguing with the victim, who was still seated in the driver’s seat. During the argument, the suspect produced a handgun and brandished the victim. Both suspect and victim continued arguing, and eventually, the victim attempted to drive away. When placing his car in motion, the victim heard his rear passenger window shatter. The victim believed his vehicle was shot with the handgun he earlier observed. The suspect returned to his vehicle and drove away; the victim began following the suspect, ultimately calling the Simi Valley Police Department. The victim was not injured.
The police department is currently investigating this incident as an assault with a deadly weapon. The suspect was identified as Antonio Mendoza, a 36-year-old Simi Valley resident. He was booked on the following charges: 245(a)(2)PC (Assault with a Firearm): 2800.2 VC (Reckless Evading a Police Officer) and 11377(a) H&S (Possession of Methamphetamine).