Community members left flowers and dozens of candles at a Thousand Oaks intersection where a man wanted for a stabbing crashed into a group of teenagers waiting for a bus, killing one and injuring three.
The victim has been identified as Wesley Welling, who was killed in the crash following a chain of tragic events that began Tuesday afternoon at a Walmart in Simi Valley.
The ninth-grader at Westlake High School was waiting for a bus home when he and three other students were hit by a vehicle in what authorities said was an intentional act.
A 15-year-old boy has died after a man, who allegedly stabbed two people at a Walmart store in Simi Valley, crashed into a group of college students in Thousand Oaks.
“He was nice, he was nice, he was hanging out with his friends, he was fun,” said Maria Vasquez, a freshman at Westlake High School.
The crimes began with a double stabbing at a Walmart in Simi Valley, investigators say. The stabbed victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities did not share details about a possible motive for the attack.
The suspect then traveled to Camarillo, where he was involved in an argument with family members, authorities said.
The violent rampage ended with the fatal Thousand Oaks crash. Four teenagers were hit by a white Toyota Camry that ended up on its roof.
“Investigators believe the accident was an intentional act,” said Ashley Barrios of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
Conejo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Mark McLaughlin called the tragedy “an unimaginable loss.”
A baby died when a vehicle crashed in Santa Margarita.
“During this time of unimaginable loss, our thoughts and prayers remain with these students, their families, friends and the entire Warrior community,” McLaughlin said.
Mental health counselors were available to students and staff at the school and other campuses.
“Everything is so much sadder and heavier, everyone is speechless,” said 11th-placed Sadie Adamo. I am speechless.”
The driver has been identified as 24-year-old Austin Eis.
He is being held at the Ventura County Jail, where his bond is set at $5,000,000. The arraignment is scheduled for Thursday in Ventura County Superior Court.
It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
This story first appeared on Telemundo 52’s sister station NBCLA. Click on here to read this story in English.