THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (KNX) – The stabbing suspect who crashed into a group of Thousand Oaks students, killing one of them, may have hit the students intentionally, deputies said.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Commander Garo Kraen said many students likely saw the crash, leading officials to believe the suspect, 24-year-old Austin Eis, intentionally crashed into the group.
“It was roughly that they felt that the vehicle intentionally tried to ram the children that were on the sidewalk,” he said.
Eis was booked into Ventura County Main Jail Wednesday morning on $5 million bail, according to jail records. Deputies say he faces multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, attempted robbery, burglary, brandishing a firearm, resisting arrest, kidnapping, felony use of tear gas and assault with a deadly weapon.
He’s also accused of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted robbery after a Walmart employee was stabbed at the Simi Valley store prior to the crash.
Officials said that four students, all from Westlake High School, were hit. A 15-year-old died from his injuries. The others were hospitalized and their conditions varied.
The 15-year-old killed was identified as Wesley Welling, according to a GoFundMe for the teen's family.
In the press conference, Ventura County Deputy Wendell Campbell said they have not confirmed if Eis was homeless, but believe it is “likely” due to information deputies currently have.
Conejo Valley Unified School District said counselors will be on campus to assist students.
Related
