Moorpark Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested 

September 12, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on September 10, 2024, at approximately 10:23 a.m., Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies from the Moorpark Police Station responded to a call for service of a suicidal subject located at a residence in the 4200 block of Ventavo Road, in the unincorporated area of Moorpark.

Upon arrival, deputies learned the victim had gone to her estranged husband’s residence to speak with him. Upon her arrival to the residence, she learned the suspect, identified as 61-year-old, William Boer, had turned on the gas to the stove and had several propane tanks inside the residence. Boer attempted to ignite a lighter, prompting the woman to exit the residence. As the woman fled the residence, she believed she heard several gunshots.

As deputies arrived on the scene, additional gunshots were heard coming from the residence where Boer was located. A responding sergeant briefly contacted Boer via telephone. Boer terminated the communication and barricaded himself inside of his residence.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s SWAT team, assisted by members of the Oxnard Police and Simi Valley Police SWAT teams, responded and assumed tactical control of the event.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office immediately initiated VC Alerts for the surrounding area and evacuated nearby residents and workers. Multiple investigative and patrol resources, including aircraft, were utilized during this incident.

At approximately 6:50 p.m. Boer used a firearm to deliberately fire rounds outside of his residence in the direction of law enforcement personnel who were positioned outside of his residence. Fortunately, no officers were injured. Investigators later located a long rifle and a pistol inside of the residence.

Throughout the incident, the Tactical Negotiations Unit (TNU) made intermittent contact with Boer via telephone. TNU’s main goal was to negotiate a peaceful surrender.

At approximately 8:00 p.m., Boer exited his residence peacefully and was taken into custody without incident. Boer was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility, for two counts of 664/187 PC – Attempted Murder: one count of attempted murder of his estranged wife, and one count of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

Boer’s bail is currently set at $6.2 million, and his arraignment is scheduled for September 12, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., in Ventura County Superior Court, Room #13.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Detective G. Gonzales at 805-384-4721.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $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: Ventura County Sheriff's Office