OXNARD, Calif. — A high-risk SWAT raid on a residential home in Oxnard resulted in the seizure of nearly a dozen firearms and the arrest of a local resident following a series of violent shooting incidents connected to the property, public safety officials reported Wednesday.
Click here to view the official Oxnard Police Department news release regarding the Gina Drive search warrant and firearms arrest.
The major firearms enforcement operation was conducted jointly by the Oxnard Police Department SWAT Team, Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), Violent Crimes Unit, Major Crimes Unit, and K9 Unit.
Authorities identified the arrested suspect as 46-year-old Maximino Morales, a resident of Oxnard.
Morales was taken into custody during the service of a residential search warrant executed on Wednesday afternoon, September 9, 2026.
Evolving Investigation, Shots Fired Calls, and Hospitalized Teenager
According to an official incident report released by Oxnard Police Department Sergeant Jason Radcliffe, the multi-unit investigation originated in late July 2026, when officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit began intelligence gathering on a residence located along the 1500 block of Gina Drive.
In mid-August, patrol officers responded to urgent 911 calls reporting shots fired in front of the Gina Drive residence. Upon arriving at the scene, officers located multiple spent shell casings on the street and sidewalk, confirming that active gunfire had occurred outside the property.
The investigation escalated dramatically on Tuesday, September 8, when a 17-year-old juvenile male who resides at the Gina Drive home arrived at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard suffering from an active gunshot wound to his leg.
Hospital staff notified law enforcement, prompting specialized detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit and SEU to link the juvenile's shooting directly back to the ongoing criminal activity surrounding the Gina Drive property.
SWAT Warrant Execution, Arsenal Seizure, and Criminal Charges
Equipped with a search warrant signed by a Ventura County Superior Court judge, tactical officers from the Oxnard Police Department SWAT Team along with K9 units secured the perimeter of the 1500 block of Gina Drive on September 9.
Tactical teams safely entered and cleared the residence before investigators from the Major Crimes and Special Enforcement Units initiated a systematic search of the home.
During the search of the interior rooms and storage areas, officers located and seized nine firearms, alongside ammunition and firearm-related accessories.
Officers arrested Morales at the scene without further incident. He was formally booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on a series of felony charges:
- Multiple Firearms Violations: Illegal possession, storage, or transfer of weapons
- PC 273a(a): Child Endangerment (Felony)
"During the service of the search warrant, officers seized 9 guns. Maximino Morales was arrested for numerous firearm-related charges and child endangerment," the Oxnard Police Department detailed in its official press release.
"The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city," public safety representatives added.
Gang Suppression Efforts and Police Contact Information
Department leadership reiterated that the Special Enforcement Unit remains dedicated to dismantling illegal weapons networks, curbing youth violence, and targeting violent gang activity across municipal neighborhoods.
Public safety officials emphasize that community tips and anonymous reporting are crucial tools for removing illegal firearms from city streets before additional violence occurs.
Members of the public with additional information regarding this case or other illegal firearm activity are strongly encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department main line at (805) 385-7600, or submit information online via the Oxnard Police Department Official Website by selecting "Report Suspicious Activity."
Anonymous information can also be submitted to Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or online at Ventura County Crime Stoppers via text or email. Official announcements can be reviewed on the Oxnard Police Department Official Newsroom.