An 18-year-old Simi Valley man has been arrested and charged after allegedly selling a firearm to a minor who then used it to take their own life earlier this year.
Gun Violence Reduction Program detectives arrested Michael Paz on May 23 in the city of Thousand Oaks following an investigation into the January death of the juvenile, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release on Wednesday.
On that day in January, “Thousand Oaks Patrol deputies responded to the unincorporated area of Thousand Oaks for a report of a suicidal subject,” the news release states.
The unidentified juvenile was found with a single gunshot wound and later pronounced deceased at Los Robles Medical Center.
“Through various investigative techniques, detectives obtained evidence identifying Michael Paz as the suspect who sold the firearm to the juvenile,” the Sheriff’s Department stated.
Following his arrest, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Paz, including unlawful transfer of a firearm, child endangerment, and selling, loaning or transferring a firearm to a Minor.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, please seek immediate professional help by calling the nationwide mental health crisis hotline by dialing 9-8-8 on your phone.
