Man With Stick Is Shot by Ventura Officers

Ventura police shot a 35-year-old man after he charged at them with a martial arts stick, authorities said Wednesday.

Zane Perry was shot by officers shortly after midnight Tuesday after residents in the 600 block of Kirk Avenue called police to complain that he was challenging others to a fight, authorities said.

Perry refused to talk to police officers or members of the county’s Mental Health Crisis Intervention Team, authorities said, adding that he then tried to break into a neighbor’s apartment with the 5-foot, wooden martial arts staff.

Police first tried less lethal methods, but shot Perry after he turned and rushed at them with the staff, police said. He was shot in the elbow and hip.

Perry was in stable condition Wednesday at Ventura County Medical Center, police said.