Crime
Chico Police Fatally Shoot Suspect Michael Oxley Following Weekend Attack on Local Barber George Ramirez III
The Butte County District Attorney’s Office and the Butte County Officer-Involved Shooting Protocol Team are actively investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in Chico.
The incident took place at The Post, an off-campus student housing complex on Nord Avenue, where members of the Chico Police SWAT team engaged 43-year-old Michael Oxley, a suspect in a Friday night shooting.
According to District Attorney Mike Ramsey, the situation began Friday evening when Oxley allegedly shot 43-year-old George Ramirez III, a well-known downtown Chico barber, in the parking lot of the Chico Farmer’s Market on Flume Street.
Ramirez was sitting in his vehicle when an assailant approached from behind and fired multiple rounds through the closed driver’s side window, striking him in the head, neck, and shoulder.
He was transported to an out-of-area hospital, where he underwent extensive surgery and remains in critical condition.
Following an overnight investigation, Chico Police identified Oxley as the primary suspect. Authorities determined that he was staying at The Post as an Airbnb resident, not as a student.
A warrant for his arrest was obtained through the District Attorney’s Office and a local judge.
Officers attempted to take Oxley into custody around 6 p.m. on Saturday, but he barricaded himself inside his apartment, prompting a lockdown of the housing complex.
The situation escalated when Oxley fled to the parking structure, where SWAT officers contained him on a ramp between the fourth and fifth floors.
Authorities reported that Oxley was crouching with a pistol equipped with an extended magazine.
Despite two hours of negotiation urging him to surrender, Oxley stood up and opened fire at officers.
In response, six members of the Chico Police SWAT team returned fire, fatally wounding him. The shooting occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 2.
The Butte County Officer-Involved Shooting Protocol Team launched an immediate investigation following the incident.
The six involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, per standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the case, including the suspect’s motive and the sequence of events leading up to the fatal encounter.
Additional details will be released as the investigation progresses.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The father of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro has pleaded guilty to all charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with the infant’s death.
During what was scheduled as a felony settlement conference on Thursday, Jake Haro entered his guilty plea before a Riverside County judge.
Haro appeared visibly emotional and cried as he admitted to killing his infant son, whose remains have still not been found since his disappearance in May.
Prosecutors said the plea was entered directly to the judge, without any negotiated agreement between the defense and prosecution.
The charges include second-degree murder, assault of a child under eight causing great bodily injury resulting in death, and filing a false police report.
Haro now faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 3 in Riverside County Superior Court.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel’s mother, Rebecca Haro, who is also charged with murder and filing a false police report, has pleaded not guilty.
Her preliminary hearing is set for the same day as her husband’s sentencing, during which the court will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
The case began in August, when Rebecca Haro initially reported that her son had been kidnapped outside a Yucaipa store following an alleged assault.
Law enforcement officers, assisted by K-9 units, launched an extensive search for the missing infant. However, investigators later uncovered inconsistencies in her account, leading authorities to reclassify the case.
On August 22, both Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested in Cabazon after detectives concluded that the reported kidnapping had been fabricated.
Four days later, at a press conference, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin announced that investigators had evidence Emmanuel had been “severely abused over time” and said they had a strong indication of where his remains might be located, though none have yet been recovered.
Both parents have remained in custody on $1 million bail since their arrests.
As of now, investigators continue efforts to locate Emmanuel’s remains and gather additional evidence in the ongoing case.