Teen arrested in Chico after assault and shooting at car

A 16-year-old boy was arrested Monday in Chico after officers investigated an assault and gunfire. The youth faces five felony counts and a misdemeanor following an early morning standoff that triggered a local shelter-in-place order.

The Chico Police Department responded to reports of gunfire and screaming around 4 a.m. Officers checked the area of Ceres Avenue and Garden Park Drive. Initial sweeps turned up no evidence of a shooting.

About 15 minutes later, police received video from a witness who recorded the incident. Officers learned the 16-year-old boy assaulted a girl. He then shot at an occupied car driving in the area, police said.

The teenager fled the scene in a car. Officers located the vehicle around 6 a.m. outside a home on Whitewood Way. Residents told police they did not know where the suspect was. Officials then issued a shelter-in-place order for the community.

Witnesses reported the youth entered a house before officers arrived. The department conducted a surround and callout. All occupants walked out of the residence. The teenager surrendered.

Officers arrested the youth around 7:30 a.m. During a search of the Chico residence, police found two guns inside a backpack belonging to the suspect.

Police arrested the youth on multiple felony allegations:

• Shooting at an inhabited vehicle
• Aggravated assault with a firearm
• Carrying loaded firearm in public
• Being a minor in possession of a handgun
• Manufacturing a large-capacity magazine

The minor also faces a domestic battery misdemeanor charge. County probation departments review juvenile allegations to assess custody and recommend appropriate formal proceedings. CPD forwarded the case to Butte County Probation for review.

“Based on their recommendation, charges may be filed with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office,” officials said.