Two teenagers in Camarillo, California, are facing multiple felony charges after allegedly pointing assault rifles at a motorcyclist, running over his bike, and then stopping at a fast-food restaurant before police arrested them. Gavyn Ghassedi, 18, and an unnamed 17-year-old girl were taken into custody following a road rage incident on Sept. 5 that escalated from a freeway off-ramp to a drive-thru line at a Jack in the Box.
Background
The incident began on a freeway off-ramp in Camarillo, where witnesses reported seeing a black Mercedes-Benz sedan attempting to intentionally strike a motorcyclist. According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, multiple witnesses stated that both the driver and the passenger of the Mercedes allegedly pointed firearms at the motorcyclist during the confrontation. The driver then allegedly ran over the motorcycle before accelerating away from the scene, leaving the motorcyclist uninjured but shaken.
The suspects' getaway was short-lived. Law enforcement utilized license plate readers to track the vehicle's path, leading investigators directly to a Jack in the Box restaurant in Camarillo. Police located the suspects in the drive-thru line, conducted a traffic stop, and arrested Ghassedi and the teenage girl without incident.
The Charges
During the search of the Mercedes-Benz, deputies allegedly discovered two assault rifles and a pistol. Police stated that all three firearms were unregistered "ghost guns," lacking serial numbers. Consequently, Ghassedi and the 17-year-old girl have been charged with possession of an automatic weapon, possession of an assault weapon, unlawful transfer of a firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in public, possession of a firearm with no serial number, assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a firearm, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
In addition to the firearms charges, online jail records indicate that Ghassedi faces a separate misdemeanor charge for possession of a controlled substance. He is currently being held at the Ventura County Main Jail on $200,000 bond. The teenage girl is being detained at the Juvenile Justice Center.
Key Takeaways
- Suspects allegedly used unregistered "ghost guns" with no serial numbers during the incident.
- License plate readers were crucial in tracking the Mercedes-Benz to a Jack in the Box drive-thru.
- The motorcyclist was not injured despite the vehicle allegedly running over his motorcycle.
- Both suspects face multiple felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy.
- Ghassedi is held on $200,000 bond; the minor girl is in juvenile custody.
What's Next
Ghassedi remains in custody at the Ventura County Main Jail pending his next court appearance, while the juvenile suspect is held at the Juvenile Justice Center. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office has not yet released specific dates for preliminary hearings or trial, but the investigation into the origin of the ghost guns and the specific circumstances of the road rage incident is ongoing. Authorities will likely seek additional evidence regarding the unregistered firearms as the case moves through the legal system.