Two teenage boys in California, aged 14 and 15, have been formally charged with murder after allegedly stomping a 66-year-old homeless man to death while he slept outside a church in Oxnard. The horrifying attack on Davy Glen Pichel occurred in the early hours of June 4, 2025, and has shocked the local community and law enforcement officials alike.
Victim Found Outside Church
Pichel, who used a wheelchair, was found dead the next morning by a volunteer outside St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard. According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after the volunteer’s call and pronounced Pichel dead at the scene. He was discovered partially unclothed, with severe trauma to his head and face.
Surveillance Captures Brutal Attack
Disturbing details emerged from church surveillance footage that allegedly captured the teens attacking Pichel. Prosecutors say the two boys initially approached the elderly man while he was seated near the church doors. They reportedly began stomping and beating him, then walked away—only to return multiple times to continue the attack.
The district attorney’s office stated that during their final return, the boys repeatedly stomped Pichel again, even removing part of his clothing before fleeing the scene. The motive behind the attack has not yet been disclosed.
Charges and Juvenile Detention
The teens are currently being detained in a juvenile facility. They were formally arraigned in court on June 10, but the hearing was postponed to June 24 at the request of their defense attorneys. Prosecutors have confirmed that the case is currently proceeding in juvenile court, though the nature and brutality of the crime have raised questions about whether the teens might eventually be tried as adults.
Community Outrage and Shock
News of the violent attack has deeply affected the Oxnard community, especially given the senseless nature of the killing and the vulnerability of the victim. Pichel was known to sleep near the church, where volunteers occasionally assisted him with food and other basic needs.
Local residents and members of St. Anthony’s parish expressed sorrow and disbelief. “It’s heartbreaking,” said one community member. “To know that someone who was already suffering was treated this way—it’s just beyond words.”
Comparisons to Similar Teen-Involved Murder Case
The case has drawn parallels to another disturbing incident in Washington, D.C., where five teenage girls, aged between 12 and 15, were convicted of killing a 64-year-old disabled man by beating and stomping him in an alley. That incident also involved the teens recording the assault, with at least one suspect reportedly boasting about the attack afterward.
The similarities between the two cases—both involving physically vulnerable victims, multiple teen attackers, and extreme violence—have prompted renewed discussions on juvenile crime, accountability, and mental health.
Legal and Social Implications
Legal experts say the case will likely test the boundaries of how the justice system handles violent crimes committed by minors. While the teens are currently charged in juvenile court, prosecutors could consider moving to try them as adults, depending on the outcomes of preliminary proceedings.
Additionally, advocates are calling for increased community engagement and early intervention strategies to prevent youth violence. “We need to ask how kids this young are capable of such brutality—and what can be done before it reaches this point,” said one local activist.
What’s Next?
The teens are due back in court on June 24, where the judge may consider next steps in the prosecution, including whether to move the case to adult court. Meanwhile, the investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward.
As the community mourns Davy Pichel, his death stands as a tragic reminder of the need for compassion, accountability, and vigilance—especially in how society treats its most vulnerable.
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