Man Shot in Back During Street Fight

A Ventura man was in good condition Saturday after being shot in the back during a street brawl on the city’s west end.

Billy Parker, 24, was hit once with a small-caliber bullet in the back during a fight Friday night that involved more than two dozen men, said Ventura Police Lt. Brad Talbot.

Neighbors called police about 11 p.m. complaining about the fight at the corner of Ventura Avenue and El Medio, Talbot said.

Just as two officers arrived, at least three shots rang out, Talbot said, and the crowd scattered.

Parker and two other unidentified men were detained. As officers talked to Parker they learned he had been hit and paramedics were called. He was taken to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was admitted, a nursing supervisor said.

At least 20 officers--including sheriff’s deputies, several police dogs and the sheriff’s helicopter--responded to the call.

Only one man was taken into custody but he was later released, Talbot said.

Witnesses said they thought the gun used was a small-caliber rifle, but police have not yet recovered a weapon, Talbot said. Authorities did not know what prompted the altercation.