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Ventura man charged with attempted murder, kidnapping after 'severe' domestic violence incident

By
FOX 11
Crime and Public Safety
Published July 30, 2026 12:15 PM PDT
Published July 30, 2026 12:15 PM PDT

The Brief

    • Ventura County prosecutors filed multiple felony charges, including attempted murder and kidnapping, against Igancio Rafael Anzaldo III following a domestic violence attack.
    • Police say Anzaldo physically attacked the victim in a car, drove her to a remote area in Santa Paula, and cut her with a knife before a neighbor heard the commotion and intervened.
    • The victim was able to escape; Anzaldo was arrested and remains in custody pending an August 12 arraignment.

VENTURA, Calif. - A man is in custody facing attempted murder, kidnapping, and multiple additional felony charges following a severe domestic violence attack that left a woman with severe injuries in Ventura County.

What we know:

On July 25, shortly after 10 p.m., the victim and Ignacio Anzaldo left a bar in downtown Ventura, according to police. While they were in the car, Anzaldo allegedly became angry and began physically attacking the victim while threatening her life.

Authorities say Anzaldo drove the victim to a remote section of Wheeler Canyon Road in Santa Paula, where he threatened to kill her, pulled out a knife, and cut her. 

A nearby resident who heard the commotion intervened, interrupting the assault and allowing the victim to escape.

The victim made her way to the Ventura Police Department headquarters, where paramedics were called to transport her to the Ventura County Medical Center for emergency treatment.

Officers located Anzaldo shortly after and took him into custody. 

He has since been charged by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office with the following charges: attempted murder; kidnapping; assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury; corporal injury to a spouse; two counts of criminal threats; two misdemeanor counts for destruction of evidence; a special allegation of using a deadly weapon.

Anzaldo made his first court appearance on July 28. He remains held in Ventura County Jail on $1 million bail. 

What we don't know:

Authorities have not released details regarding the current medical condition of the victim.

What's next:

Anzaldo is scheduled to return to court on August 12 for his continued arraignment.

What you can do:

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Fabian Gutierrez at 805-339-4428.

The Source: This report is based on information provided by the Ventura Police Department and the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

Crime and Public SafetyVentura CountyVentura