June 22, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that in the late evening of June 19, 2024, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies from the Thousand Oaks Police Department responded to a residence in the 2400 block of Avenida De Las Plantas where they determined a homicide had occurred.  The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit immediately assumed control of the investigation.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim in this case as 80-year-old Gerald Sherman.  Investigators have learned that Fegley and Sherman were roommates and lifelong friends.

Major Crimes Investigators located and seized an older model .22 caliber rifle from the residence, which they believe was the firearm used in the homicide.  Although investigators have learned that an altercation took place prior to the shooting, the exact circumstances leading up to the incident remains unclear at this time.  Detectives are still actively working to piece together the events that transpired before the altercation and subsequent shooting.  This includes interviewing friends, associates, family members, reviewing, analyzing, and processing digital evidence and physical evidence collected at the scene.

Fegley remains incarcerated at the Ventura County Todd Road Jail Facility. His bail is currently set at $790,000.00 and his arraignment is scheduled for June 24, 2024, at 1:30 P.M., in Ventura County Superior Court, Room #13.  This homicide investigation is currently under review by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

Anyone who has information regarding this homicide is encouraged to contact Major Crimes Detective Michael Marco 805-384-4739.

Original Details: On June 19, 2024, at approximately 10:06 P.M., deputies from the Thousand Oaks Police Station responded to the 2400 block of Avenida De Las Plantas in Thousand Oaks, in reference to a check the wellbeing call.  Upon arrival, Deputies discovered a male victim in the residence who had been shot and was later pronounced deceased on scene.

Detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Major Crimes and East County Major Crimes Units responded to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

The preliminary investigation indicates a physical altercation occurred between the male victim and his roommate, (S) Edward Fegley.  During the altercation, Fegley shot the male victim resulting in his death.  Fegley was on scene when deputies arrived and was subsequently arrested for 187(a) PC - Murder.

Fegley was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he is currently being held in lieu of a $500,000.00 bail.  He has a scheduled arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court on 06/24/2024, at 1:30 P.M., in Courtroom #13.  

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Michael Marco 805-384-4739.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source & photo: Ventura County Sheriff's Office