Police say a woman was seriously injured when a recently released suspect allegedly attacked shoppers inside a California Target.
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — A 34-year-old man is accused of randomly attacking shoppers inside a Target store, allegedly choking a woman at a checkout counter and injuring others before police arrested him, authorities said. The woman was hospitalized and remains in stable condition.
Authorities say the attack unfolded on the evening of June 17 inside a Target store in Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles. Investigators identified the suspect as Rejean Tabor, who had been released from custody less than two days earlier. Police allege the attack was unprovoked and that the first victim had no prior connection to the suspect. The incident drew attention after witness video circulated online and police announced attempted murder and other felony charges.
According to the Simi Valley Police Department, Tabor entered the store at about 6 p.m. and immediately approached a woman standing at a checkout counter. Officers said he began choking her without warning. Store employees and nearby customers rushed to intervene after seeing the assault. Police said the suspect then turned his attention toward people attempting to help the victim. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as shoppers tried to pull him away and protect others nearby. Cellphone video recorded by customers captured portions of the confrontation as multiple bystanders struggled to restrain the suspect. Authorities said the woman suffered serious injuries and was later taken to a hospital by family members. Investigators later determined that she did not know Tabor and had never met him before the attack. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Witness Andy Garbe told local television reporters that he and others ran toward the disturbance after hearing commotion inside the store. He said they found a woman being choked and immediately tried to help. Video recorded by Garbe’s teenage son showed shoppers surrounding the suspect as they attempted to stop the violence. One witness could be heard saying the victim was “almost dead,” reflecting the fear among people who watched the assault unfold. Police said a 16-year-old boy was also attacked after the initial confrontation. Authorities reported that several customers sustained minor injuries during the incident and were treated at the scene. As the situation escalated, Target employees initiated an emergency evacuation of the store. Officers responding to the call entered the building and found the suspect allegedly throwing items in a grocery section before taking him into custody without further resistance. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The attack occurred in a busy retail setting during evening shopping hours, raising concerns about random acts of violence in public spaces. Investigators have not announced any evidence suggesting the victims were specifically targeted before the suspect entered the store. Instead, police described the incident as a spontaneous and apparently random assault. Witness accounts indicate that the suspect moved through different areas of the store after the initial attack, creating confusion among shoppers and employees. The case has also drawn attention because of the suspect’s recent criminal history. According to reports, Tabor had been arrested earlier this year on allegations that included indecent exposure and assaulting a police officer. Authorities said he was on probation at the time of the Target incident. The circumstances surrounding his behavior inside the store, including whether drugs, mental health issues, or other factors played a role, have not been publicly established by investigators.
Prosecutors and police are now moving forward with a series of criminal charges. Authorities said Tabor was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail on allegations that include attempted murder, burglary, assault, battery and cruelty or unjustifiable pain to a minor. Court proceedings are expected to determine whether additional charges are warranted as investigators continue reviewing witness statements, surveillance footage and cellphone video. Police have not released further details about the woman’s injuries beyond stating that she survived and was in stable condition after treatment. Detectives are also examining evidence collected from inside the store and interviewing witnesses who intervened during the attack. The case is likely to focus heavily on the severity of the choking allegations and the extent of injuries suffered by the victims. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
For many of the people inside the store, the violence transformed an ordinary shopping trip into a frightening ordeal. Witnesses described panic as customers attempted to understand what was happening and determine whether others remained at risk. Several bystanders stepped forward despite the danger, physically confronting the suspect while trying to protect the woman and other shoppers. Garbe told reporters that the victim appeared unable to effectively call for help because she was being strangled. His son later said authorities and witnesses believed the woman could have died had people not intervened when they did. Those accounts have highlighted the actions of customers and employees who responded before police arrived. The store eventually reopened after investigators completed their work, but the incident left lasting impressions on witnesses who described the attack as sudden, violent and completely unexpected. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
The investigation remains active, with prosecutors preparing the next steps in court while detectives continue gathering evidence. Authorities say the suspect remains in custody, and the woman injured in the attack is expected to continue recovering as the criminal case moves forward.
Author note: Last updated June 22, 2026.