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Dave Laut, Hueneme High School’s athletic director and a former Olympic shot putter, was shot to death outside his Oxnard home about midnight Thursday when he reportedly went to investigate noises in his backyard, police said.
Oxnard police said they found Laut, 52, in the backyard of his home in the 800 block of Raft Lane. He died at the scene.
An autopsy determined Laut died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head, said Armando Chavez, a senior deputy Ventura County medical examiner.
Oxnard Police Chief John Crombach said Friday that much about the slaying remained unclear. Initial reports indicated Laut was home with his wife and child when he and his wife heard noises in the backyard. Shots rang out after he went to investigate, Crombach said. The initial 911 call came from Laut’s home, he said.
Police had no description of the killer on Friday, and while they were looking into the possibility a prowler was responsible, investigators had not confirmed that, Crombach said.
The killer did not enter the home, Crombach said. Investigators had not determined if Laut directly confronted the killer before he was shot.
Crombach said it would be “extremely alarming” if an armed prowler was responsible for the homicide.
“We want to put everybody possible on this to determine exactly what we have,” the chief said.
He encouraged anyone with information about the killing to contact police, even if a detail seems insignificant. “It may be key to our case,” Crombach said.
The chief advised residents to lock doors and windows and call police if they hear suspicious noises outside, rather than investigating on their own.
A section of Raft Lane around Laut’s home was cordoned off with police tape Friday morning as investigators combed the crime scene and canvassed the neighborhood.
Oxnard police did not release any information to the public about the homicide until almost 10 a.m. Friday.
A Ventura County native, Laut attended Santa Clara High School in Oxnard and graduated from Moorpark College and UCLA.
In the 1970s, he survived a serious knife attack, according to younger brother Don Laut and a published report. Further details about the stabbing were not available.
He recovered and won a bronze medal in the shot put at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and four times was ranked the top shot-putter in the nation.
He shared the U.S. record at 72 feet, 3 inches in 1982, when he was ranked second in the world.
Laut was Hueneme High’s track coach for eight years before leaving for a physical education position for one year at Frontier High School in Camarillo. He was hired as Hueneme’s athletic director a year ago.
He lived with his wife of 29 years, Jane, and their son, Michael, 10.
Laut’s mother, Dotty Laut, said her son was a private man who rarely talked about his accomplishments. He enjoyed his position at Hueneme High, she said.
“I think he felt he finally got the position he was really trained to do,” she said. “He was a good coach and a good role model.”
Laut’s wife loved to work in their yard, and he frequently bought home plants for her, his mother said.
After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Laut raced to his mother’s house, six blocks from his own. “He was over here in a flash to see if I was OK,” his mother said. “That is the kind of person he was.”
After remaining childless for the first 20 years of their marriage, he and his wife adopted Michael when he was about 9 months old, Laut’s mother said.
“It’s a tragic loss,” Don Laut said of his brother’s death.
The killing shocked the neighborhood and the Oxnard Union High School District, where Laut was well-known and well-liked.
A little more than an hour after the killing, neighborhood council chairman Ed Castillo sent out an e-mail asking residents to contact Oxnard police if they saw anything suspicious. The note did not give details about the incident, but many neighbors were aware of the killing long before a second e-mail came out about 11 hours later.
Neighbors said Laut’s home had been burglarized once before, but the area, home to several police officers, is generally safe and friendly. They described Laut as an outgoing, helpful member of the community.
Neighbor Mike Riley, 38, said Laut had lived for 18 years at the home. “We lost a good man,” Riley said. “He was an awesome person to be around.”
Chet Thomas, 74, said Laut and his family were great neighbors. “We think the world of these people,” Thomas said. “This is a great loss.”
Nancy Gill, a neighbor who also went to Santa Clara High, said Laut and his wife were “very sweet and generous,” giving time to both Hueneme High and Santa Clara Elementary School, where Michael is a fifth-grader.
Hueneme High won’t start classes until Tuesday, but Principal Adrian Palazuelos broke the news to teachers and staff on Friday.
“It definitely was very difficult,” Palazuelos said. “This is our colleague, someone we’ve spent a lot of time with.”
Before being named athletic director last year, Laut was a teacher and coach at Hueneme. His dad also taught science there.
The school will have counselors available to talk to students Tuesday, Palazuelos said.
“It just leaves you numb,” said Lawrence Miller, who worked with Laut at Hueneme and is now assistant principal at Pacifica High School in Oxnard. “He was always a giver.”
Miller said Laut always had the patience to encourage struggling or troubled students. He had a humble way of using his athletic success to motivate students, Miller said. “He wanted everyone to know ... that’s something they could accomplish, too.”
Anyone with information about the killing should call Detective Michael Young at 385-7606 or the Oxnard Violent Crimes Hotline at 982-7070.
Staff writers Jean Cowden Moore and Derry Eads contributed to this report.
Posted by Freightman on August 28, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dave was a true warrior and one of the finest men I have had the honor to know. Go with God.
Posted by nojustice_justus on August 28, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is disturbing news. A man of his accomplishments gunned down. Sad. Condolences to his colleagues and family.
Posted by cmnelson7890 on August 28, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so Very Sorry for his family and friends and All the students at the schools that he worked. I send you all my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong. I am sure that would be what he would want.
Posted by WiseOlGal on August 28, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG, what happened? More, please!
Posted by oneofmany on August 28, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
soo sad to hear. he was my teacher back in 2000 and reading this story brought me chills.
Posted by Blonde_D on August 28, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry to learn of Dave Laut's untimely death. My condolences go out to his family - they must be in shock over the tragic news.
Posted by oneofmany on August 28, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
omg i just realized that this happened a block away from my home. i didnt hear anything last night.
Posted by Adam_Monroe on August 28, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG that is tragic...
I hope they catch the animal that did this if it is in fact a homicide!
Posted by bugmenot on August 28, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tragic. RIP- condolences to his family.
justus- gunned?
Posted by Freightman on August 28, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a homicide. Dave confronted a prowler in his yard and was shot three times. He died immediately.
Posted by straykat1204 on August 28, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
nojustice - How do you know he was gunned down? It does not state anything about Laut being gunned down in the news report. HHMMMM...
Posted by nojustice_justus on August 28, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Scanner traffic, inquisitive ones. There were reports of shots fired initially from a backyard on Raft Ln. I also heard a unit request a canvass of the area immediately after. That's all I heard.
Posted by MBreslo on August 28, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A true tragedy. Condolences to his family, friends, and all the people who's lives he touched.
Prowler: Call 911, that's what the police are for. While I admire his bravery, it's just not a great idea for untrained civilians to to the work of LE.
Posted by ImBetterThanYou on August 28, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Damn, these are the times were living in...
Posted by vtaco93021 on August 28, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dave was one of the good straight edge guys before we knew of such a thing RIP. NJJ ya ever think about hiring on with radio dispatch for city or county. think you would like that area??
Posted by believerinkarma on August 28, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
VERY SAD NEWS!!! Dave was a great man!!! My condolences go out to his wife, son & rest of the family!!!
Posted by Blonde_D on August 28, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A prowler killed the man? Is that what MBreslo & 'Justus allude to?
OMG. If true, how very frightening!
Posted by Just_wondering on August 28, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So sad!!! He was my physiology teacher in high school. He was a super nice guy...one of my favorite teachers.
Posted by lovely_in_pink on August 28, 2009 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
May you Rest In Peace MR Laut.... i cant believe what i have read. He was my teacher back when i was in school. My prayers go out to his Family
Posted by nojustice_justus on August 28, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
V-taco~PS dispatching is a very good job. Unfortunately not on my list of things I'd pursue. With many family and close friends in LE its reassuring to know they are faring well via the airwaves. BTW-I just happen to hear some calls while I'm doing other things. I don't sit in front of it.
Back on topic~OPD-get this perp before somebody else gets hurt.
Posted by Hueneme1961 on August 28, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my God . he was a very nice man always enjoyed talking to him.I was looking foward to seeing him during the football season.
Condolences to his family, friends and everyone at Hueneme High School. This come from my and my chain gang crew . :(
Posted by LiketoRead on August 28, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone just took one of the best things a school can have: A role model. With all the horrible acts we read about everyday this crime really angers me. Local boy does good. Returns to the community to teach our kids. What he accomplished was rare in our area. I remember rooting for him in the Olympics.
To the family of Mr. Laut: He was a true American hero. Be proud.
Posted by Freightman on August 28, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To the murdering scum that took Dave away from us:
The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
Posted by elgavacho on August 28, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dave was a great guy and I will miss him. :-( This is a horrible tragedy.
Posted by pcpwannabe on August 28, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very tragic. My condolances to his family and friends....
Posted by Adalia1 on August 28, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Terrible tragedy. Hope they catch the killer(s). Condolences to Mr. Laut's family and friends.
Posted by sofreshsoclean302 on August 28, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My deepest condolence to the Family. I never met him, but after reading the article I wish I had.
Posted by math_spirit on August 28, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I went to high school w/ Dave and Jane -- deepest sympathy the their families -- you are in my prayers and thoughts
Posted by BladeRunner on August 28, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FM it does not work that way,
RIP Dave Laut.
Posted by LarryTheLoungeLizard on August 28, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great quote from Freightman. BTW folks - it's Deuteronomy 28:20. Hope they catch the S.O.B. that gunned down a good man in cold blood.
Posted by Blonde_D on August 28, 2009 at noon (Suggest removal)
Agree - I really hope LE catches the guy before he kills again. So scary to think there's a sicko running around Pt. Hueneme shooting random (sounds like) people. OMG. Terribly frightening!
Posted by SpartanFan on August 28, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so tired of ALL the violence in this county. It's everyday, more terrible things. Once it was the best place to live, now it looks like it's best to LEAVE. Such sad news.........again.
Posted by pjlove10 on August 28, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Laut will be missed. What a effn' tragedy. I hope they find whoever did this. May you rest in peace, and my deepest condolences to his very close friends, colleagues, and family.
pj.
Posted by Hey_Scapegoat on August 28, 2009 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RIP. Here is a video of Mr. Laut in 1984:
Posted by tkrammer82 on August 28, 2009 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dave Laut, living on Raft Lane in Oxnard. Bad street in a bad town for such a good guy. But then again, is there a good street in Oxnard? You have to ask yourself. Just when you think the Nard couldn't reach any lower, its takes down a a great man like this. Run don't walk from that town, all you good and law abiding people of Ventura County. Run, like my family did some 20 years ago. Run!
Posted by pjlove10 on August 28, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's our first Oxnard bashing post of the day.
A great man was killed today, get off your soapbox. If you knew him then post something, even if you didnt know him don't use this as an excuse to rant about Oxnard.
Posted by MBreslo on August 28, 2009 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"don't use this as an excuse to rant about Oxnard."
And why shouldn't tkrammer82 state his/her feelings?
Is it not a fact that yet another murder has occurred in Oxnard? Usually it's just some useless gang banger, but now it's a fine upstanding citizen.
So often we hear the defenders of Oxnard claim that the "decent" people of Oxnard are safe, just stay away from the gangs ect. Obviously, we see here that this is NOT TRUE!!!
Oxnard is not safe for decent people.
Yes, there are some good folk there and they have my sympathy.
I wouldn't bet my life and the life of my family on Oxnard.
Posted by pjlove10 on August 28, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MBreslo, Most people, like yourself, use this as a forum to bash Oxnard anyway. I think you actually can't wait to see these types of tragedies in Oxnard reported on, just so you can display your keyboard toughness to everyone. I respect that this is an open forum, but it's just very unclassy to express your hatred of a city underneath a report of someones tragic demise.
Go somewhere else, I'm tired of you.
Posted by Hueneme1961 on August 28, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good than stay out of oxnard/Hueneme. Mr. Laut was great man and thought enough of the place he grew up to stay and help out to make things better. not just talk smack. i loved him for that most just turned there back and run to cam. or ventura but he didn't. He was great with the kids. what do you do to make things better?
Posted by tkrammer82 on August 28, 2009 at 1:51 p.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by MBreslo on August 28, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"I think you actually can't wait to see these types of tragedies in Oxnard reported on"
Then you know nothing about me.
Read my first post in this section.
"Mr. Laut was great man and thought enough of the place he grew up to stay and help out to make things better. "
Kudos to him for trying. Unfortunately, we see how that worked out for him.
Once again you people say "I" bash Oxnard.
I say, Oxnard bashes itself.
Posted by MBreslo on August 28, 2009 at 2:01 p.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by tkrammer82 on August 28, 2009 at 2:03 p.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Blonde_D on August 28, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is Pt. Hueneme a part of Oxnard?
I thought Pt. Hueneme and Oxnard are separate towns. Are the police departments the same - it looks like there's a separate website for Pt. Hueneme LE and one for OPD?
Posted by MBreslo on August 28, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Port Hueneme is a separate incorporated city. It has it's own police department. It is surrounded by Oxnard which is why you see more crime in Port Hueneme than other small towns of it's size.
Posted by Adam_Monroe on August 28, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh goodness let's not turn this into a city vs. city thing again...that happens everyday but has no meaningful place in this story...
There are more good streets than bad in Oxnard just for the record. Also, there are more good, upstanding citizens than there are lowlife thieves and scummy criminals.
We, as upstanding citizens and the majority, need to stand up to these lowlifes, the numerical minority. They only get away with these things because we allow them to.
REMEMBER: it is US (law abiding citizens) against THEM (loser criminals). If you turn it into US against US...then everybody loses.
My deepest condolences to the affected family and friends.
Posted by LookingOwl on August 28, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey everyone I just saw tkrammer82 running boy is he fast, wait his family is running also...look at that little one go !!
@ Adam_Monroe
Well said sir
Posted by nojustice_justus on August 28, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mbreslo-you could have left it as a positive insightful post. (your first) You could have.
Yes B_D-separate cities, separate LE agencies. I thought you were enlightened on the geographics already?
Posted by scotty26 on August 28, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Weren't there recently murders at Faria Beach and Ventura Keys? Unfortunately, murderers have no boundaries. The ranting about Oxnard is tiresome.
Posted by jeffinventura on August 28, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A high school coach was murdered in central Iowa just a few short months ago. These things unfortunately happen all over the world.
To give Oxnard some undue blame for this man's death is an offense to all of the law abiding people who live in that city.
GOD BLESS and condolences to the family!
Posted by nojustice_justus on August 28, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ranting is correct. It has zero value.
B_D-You were probably confused by the Hueneme HS mention. That is in Oxnard as well. There are no HS's in....PH. FYI.
Posted by Lets_Blame_Europe on August 28, 2009 at 3:12 p.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Ladydiodes2 on August 28, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
May this fine person RIP. I do believe that crime has sky-rocketed over the years. Again this is a result of poor parenting as children are raised not to have respect for themselves, let alone anyone else. It's time that parents start raising their kids better and teach them respects and manners. Just look at how they dress, pants down to their knees and girls are showing half their body all the time. No respect for themselves. To take a life that was so precious is beyond comprehension.
Posted by me4u on August 28, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its a shame that a good guy like this had to live in a place like oxnard. I bet he had to confront some lowlife gang bangers. Some good people do get trapped in places like that and they cant get out. What a sad day for the good guys. RIP
Posted by Califdreamn61 on August 28, 2009 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another reason homeowners should own guns.
Posted by nito on August 28, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
do you consider yourself 'trapped' in california? 'trapped' in america? 'trapped' on this continent? not everyone has a bad attitude like that.
folks with your sort of outlook will not be happy anywhere.
he wasn't trapped. he didn't "have" to live here. he grew up here and was from an upstanding family. not everyone is of such a bad element. it doesn't matter where you live. peace comes within and murder happens everywhere. just ask cora caro's children.
Posted by nito on August 28, 2009 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
and please don't make me defend oxnard again.
Posted by Freightman on August 28, 2009 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in the neighborhood. I have great neighbors. I love Oxnard, warts and all. Dave I counted as a friend.
I lived in Palos Verdes in the 70's, the kids were all dying from reds and yellow jackets. Too much money, the biggest spy around was an FBI agents kid.
Contrast that with this neighborhood, with good friends and good neighbors.
I think the Oxnard thing is way out of line and way overdone. If you don't like Oxnard stay far away, otherwise show some consideration and shut up.
Posted by Blonde_D on August 28, 2009 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
'Justus / MBreslo - Thanks for the clarification. Hope they find the shooter real soon! This was a senseless tragedy.
Posted by Oxn_Mart on August 28, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dave Laut was my biology teacher and coach for 4 years at Santa Clara High School. He was a good man and even better person. I haven't seen him in years but is in my prayers! This crime is a shame and my thoughts go out to his family in this terrible time for them.
God Bless....Rest in peace Coach Laut.
Posted by me4u on August 28, 2009 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For those of you who think you live in paridise, you might want to open the paper once in a while.
My point is he sounds like he was a great guy and cared about people, its a shame he had to live in such a high crime area of our great county. I dont think people live over there because they want to, but because its what they can afford. If some of you feel like you have to defend oxnard its because stats and facts don't lie, and sad things like this happen way to much in your paridise. Nitro I am thinking you dont know anything about his money matters. Freightman just drive the truck and you shut up. I do stay away but I still have to read and hear about bad things like this all the time.
Posted by cruiselvr on August 28, 2009 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For those who choose to use this terrible tragedy to paint an entire city with a broad brush and stereotype its residents, shame on you. The neighborhood in question is a nice, family neighborhood similar to any nice neighborhood in Ventura or Camarillo. This is a horrible crime and a good and wonderful man who spent his life educating children is dead. Yet you try to turn it into some vile opportunity to prove the superiority of your city or neighborhood. How incredibly childish and pathetic.
My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Laut.
Posted by whatsonmikesmind on August 28, 2009 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Its a shame that a good guy like this had to live in a place like oxnard."
NO. The real shame is that some choose to hijack this post and make totally unnecessary comments. If you want to bash Oxnard there are plenty of other places to do it. A man and his family have just lost EVERYTHING he had. Quit making this board all about you (Breslo, tkrammer, me4u).
Posted by Freightman on August 28, 2009 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
me4u- I don't drive a truck and I can afford to live where I please. I would however delight in shutting you up.
Posted by Abuelita on August 28, 2009 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A lot of former students at SCHS who had Mr. Laut as their teacher are shocked and saddened by this terrible crime. He was a very good person. The good ones are first to go! - RIP
Our sincere condolences and God's blessings to his family.
Posted by eclipsewatcher on August 28, 2009 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I went to school with Dave. I remember him as a phenomenal athlete and all-around nice guy. Jane was Homecoming Queen. Terrible loss.
Heartfelt condolences to both the Laut and Laubacher families.
Posted by dwilson on August 28, 2009 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so scary. Hear a noise and bang your dead. My prayers to the family, and to OPD for a quick arrest in this case.
Posted by charlie5bravo on August 28, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a tragedy! My thoughts go out to the Laut family..
Posted by prettynpink42 on August 28, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW, how sad....all these judgmental people. Do you really think this man hated where he lived? As others have posted the fact is he was a good man, a caring citizen, wonderful husband, a devoted father, a good neighbor, an exceptional teacher...the list goes on and on. This is not about where he lived. It never was. Pray for all who knew him. Pray for his wife and the child he so desperately wanted and was finally blessed with. Life is to short for all this hate. The hate that occurred in this mans backyard and the hate of the posters here speaking for a deceased man they never knew.
I am originally from VTA. I now PROUDLY reside in the 93035 zip (yes, Oxnard) Not because we couldn't afford VTA but because we live in a beautiful neighborhood with wonderful neighbors. We love our house and the fact that our family can walk to Coffee Bean in the morning for coffee and ride our bikes to the beach (10 min. away) on the weekends. We have a farmers market and sailing in the harbor. Not to mention we love our weather (70 degree all year).
My prayers to all who new him...to all who's lives he touched. May his killer be caught. May his memory live on. May his family and friends find peace.
Posted by cruiselvr on August 28, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Prettynpink, from a fellow 93035 neighbor who chose to make my home here and raise my family in this beautiful area after spending half of my life in Ventura, I concur. Our hearts our heavy at the loss of such a good man, husband and father and these senseless outbursts against the town we call home are heartless and so completely off base. Ignorance and hate are always ugly, but especially when displayed in the face of such a senseless tragedy.
Posted by nito on August 28, 2009 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
me4u........actually, i knew them quite well. mother, father and both dave and donny. many people do choose the lovely town of oxnard. and most of the 93035's are indeed transplants.
i agree that oxnard (town, mostly) is a hotbed of crime, has always been and will continue to be. but if you know anything about averages, you very well know that if your town had 200,000 people, you would have more crime than you do now. and if oxnard had a population as small as yours, you'd likely still have more crime.
so much of the oxnard crime is street gang related. of course, that is terrible. often innocent bystanders are affected. usually the gangs are attacking each other. elsewhere in the county, it's usually the community getting victimized by thieves, tweakers (the hopper kid), perverts including the recent library filth, porn hoarders and party crashers.
it's everywhere and you will not live in peace. period.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 29, 2009 at 5:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't know this man, But he seems like he was a great teacher and Husband and Father. My Sincere Condolences go out to his family and many many friends. RIP.
Posted by taxpayer on August 29, 2009 at 6:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolences to the family. What a tragic loss. I hope they catch the scum who did this soon.
Posted by wzupnow on August 29, 2009 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Crombach said it would be “extremely alarming� if an armed prowler was responsible for the homicide".
Is he suggesting that there was no prowler?
Posted by RedSage on August 29, 2009 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This could have happened anywhere in the US; just terribly sad that it happened at all. My prayers for the family...to the killer, an eye for an eye!
Posted by debanox on August 29, 2009 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No, he's suggesting that if they don't catch him quickly, more people will die because he won't stop prowling.
Posted by nojustice_justus on August 29, 2009 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No. That an armed prowler will execute...is alarming.
I heard nothing but good things (obviously) and happy times from some of his fellow classmates last night from SCHS while out last night. They all had one concern-Jane. So sad an event. Godspeed.
Posted by insideedge on August 29, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A prowler looking to steal a bike or something like that went from misdemanor burglary to capital murder in a blink of an eye.
Kind of scarry seeing that I live a couple of blocks from there.
David Keith/ Ventura Star,
Please keep the public informed.
Posted by archtmf on August 29, 2009 at noon (Suggest removal)
Gang bangers usually are too cowardly to aim their guns precisely. Usually the shooter just fires in the random direction of the victim while fleeing. More often it seems that the victim is hit in the torso, or a limb, with a hit to the head being more rare. This story seems to imply that the victim was shot multiple times in the head. That's one aspect that troubles me the most. Either we are dealing with much more vicious perpetrators here than your typical local gang banger types, or there is something more sinister going on with relationship to the victim and I don't want to speculate any further without knowing any facts at all. That, plus the fact that (as some reports have stated) there were as many as three prowlers in the yard all at once makes this even more troubling.
Either way, I grieve for Mr. Laut and his family. I did not know him, but I feel the senselessness and tragedy of this loss.
Posted by archtmf on August 29, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, the autopsy confirms that it was multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Reports are that three gunshots rang out. All targeted, it would seem. Scary.
Posted by ceegold on August 29, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mbreslo stop being a jerk please.
mr laut was a teacher and coach of mine and I have nothing but good memories, so sad my heart goes out to the family.
RIP coach
Posted by singapore on August 29, 2009 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.vcshf.com/hof_members/1997...
My spouse and I were at the coliseum in 1984 to witness Mr. Laut's Bronze accomplishment. The (offtrack) debate should not be about which city is the worst but about the criminals who do these cowardly crimes and how society should handle them. Prayers to Jane and their son, his mother, etc.
Posted by lmiller on August 29, 2009 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dave Laut's death is a great loss. Dave was a student in my biology class at Moorpark College many years ago and even then I can remember saying to myself, "this is a special person". And it wasn't for his athletic prowess but rather his scholarly attitude, his sincerity and lack of ego.
And now he's gone but his "special" qualities will go on in his family, friends and students. He is immortal.
Let's use this to inspire ourselves to stopping the violence and man's inhumanity.
Larry O. Miller - VCCCD Board of Trustees
Posted by kljinusa on August 29, 2009 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My boyfriend lives 4 blocks from where this murder occurred. He knew people who knew the family, so he wanted to drive by this morning and check out the crime scene and I went with him. It seems to be a safe and well-cared-for neighborhood. The access to the Laut famiy's yard would have been through another neighbor's yard or through their own gates.
My condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Laut. I hope OPD can solve this senseless crime soon.
Posted by mymikeydog on August 29, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here again, if the laws would hold the "gang" responsible for each of their crimes, there would be none of them on the street. Oxnard started a "Gang Injunction", now lets add a few new laws to it! If anyone says " you don't know for a fact it was gang related" they must live here in Oxnard!
My heart goes out to this wonderful man's family, friends and student's. This is another great tradgedy. I'm sorry.
Posted by hardraincoming1 on August 30, 2009 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm... Oxnard, what can i say? There are beautiful areas with high priced homes (closer to the beach) and safe neighborhoods, and there are crime-infested areas. Like most cities nowadays I guess.
I don't know Dave Laut, but from what I hear so far, a special individual was taken away from his family, students and society way before his time. A sad loss, senseless and tragic really, another light went out in the 'Nard. Condolences to Dave's family & friends.
"In hoc signo vince"
RIP Dave Laut
Posted by MBreslo on August 30, 2009 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone keeping count of the number of homicides in Oxnard this year? Just curios what we're up to now.
Oh, here it is, 13.
This is interesting...
Oxnard's murder rate higher than Los Angeles... WOW!
http://www.redcounty.com/another-murd...
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