An Ojai man is in hot water after deputies arrested him for allegedly wielding a baseball bat to strike two people during a confrontation. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office said Reef Matte, 19, assaulted a 23-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman on East Ojai Avenue.
The altercation, originally a verbal dispute, rapidly escalated into physical violence shortly after noon on Wednesday. According to a report by the local authorities, the victims and Matte were embroiled in a conflict that took a dangerous turn when Matte reportedly used the bat as a weapon.
After deputies arrived on the scene, following a distress call placed at approximately 12:15 p.m., they arrested and booked Matte on suspicion of two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Matte is now facing serious charges as a result of the incident.
Details regarding what sparked the initial argument were not immediately available. However, the investigation remains open as authorities are looking to piece together the events that led up to the violent encounter. In a statement obtained by KTLA, Detective Joseph Sharif encouraged anyone with more information to come forward.
The condition of the victims has yet to be disclosed, leaving the extent of their injuries unknown. Meanwhile, Ventura County Crime Stoppers has offered a reward for information leading to further arrests in this case, signaling a determination to thoroughly investigate and swiftly bring justice where it's due.
