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.
Crime
19-Year-Old Peyton Patterson Killed in WSSU Homecoming Shooting; Ziyaire Spinks Charged With Murder
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A 19-year-old man was killed and a 22-year-old woman was injured in a shooting on the Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) campus during homecoming weekend, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
The fatal shooting occurred Saturday night, November 7, 2026, in the 600 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on the university campus.
Police said officers responded at approximately 9:46 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. Officers who were already in the area reportedly heard the shots and immediately moved toward the scene.
Upon arrival, officers found Peyton Izaia Patterson, 19, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers began performing lifesaving measures before emergency medical services personnel arrived and continued treatment. Despite those efforts, Patterson succumbed to his injuries.
His next of kin has been notified.
A second victim, identified as Alyssa Janae Ellerbee, 22, was also found suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital, where she received treatment and was later released.
As the investigation progressed, authorities identified Ziyaire Antonyo Spinks, 20, as a suspect. He was charged with:
- General Murder
- Assault With a Deadly Weapon With Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury (ADWIKISI)
- Felony Possession of a Firearm on Educational Property
Police said Spinks was being held without bond at the time of the announcement.
A second man was also reported to be in custody. However, authorities have not publicly released his name or provided details about any charges against him.
The police department said it would not release a photograph of Spinks because the investigation remains ongoing.
The Winston-Salem Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division has taken over the investigation and continues to examine the circumstances surrounding Patterson’s death and the shooting.
Detectives have determined that the incident was isolated, according to police. Authorities have not released additional information about what led to the gunfire or the circumstances immediately preceding the shooting.
Police said further confirmed information would be released as it becomes available.
The investigation remains active.