California man allegedly strangled Target customer less than 24 hours after being released from custody

VENTURA, Calif. (TCN) -- Less than 24 hours after he was released from custody on mandatory supervision, a 34-year-old man allegedly entered a Target store and strangled a customer in a random attack.

According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Rejean Morgan Tabor allegedly entered a Target store and approached a woman who was shopping. When he allegedly attempted to strangle her, other customers intervened. One good Samaritan was allegedly bitten, scratched, and hit while trying to help the victim. 

Before he was apprehended by responding officers, Tabor allegedly threw a bottle at a store employee and allegedly attacked another customer, age 16, according to the DA. 

KTLA reports that while waiting for officers to respond, Target issued an emergency evacuation of the store. 

Before the alleged attacks in Target, Tabor had been released from custody on mandatory supervision less than 24 hours earlier. The Simi Valley Acorn reports that charges against Tabor in Ventura County, California, date back to 2017. According to court records obtained by the outlet, he has previously been charged with driving under the influence, attempted burglary, and aggravated trespass. 

On March 27, Tabor pleaded guilty to charges of lewd conduct in public and violence against an officer. He was sentenced to six months and released after about three months, according to the Acorn.

KTLA reports that the strangulation victim, whose name has not been released, was taken to the hospital by family members. The outlet reports she does not know Tabor. 

Tabor was charged with attempted murder, assault, cruelty to a child by inflicting injury, and two counts of battery.

At his hearing in Ventura County Superior Court on June 23, Tabor did not enter a plea; his defense declared that there was doubt regarding his competency and criminal proceedings were suspended, according to KTLA.

He remains in jail on $750,000 bail and is scheduled to appear for his competency hearing on July 16, per the DA.

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