Full Breakdown
Random Attack at Simi Valley Target Leaves Woman Near Death
6/23/2026, 1:24:37 AM
Incident Overview
On the evening of June 17, 2024, Rejean Tabor entered a Target store in Simi Valley, California, and immediately began choking a female customer standing at a checkout counter. The assault continued as Tabor moved through the store, attacking a 16-year-old boy in the produce aisle and confronting several bystanders who attempted to intervene. Store employees initiated an emergency evacuation while police entered the premises, located Tabor throwing items in the grocery section, and took him into custody without further incident.
Background: Recent Release of Perpetrator
Tabor had been released from custody less than 48 hours before the incident. He had been arrested in March for indecent exposure and assaulting an officer and was serving probation at the time of the Target attack.
Timeline of the June 17 Attack
- ~6:00 p.m. – Tabor enters Target and begins choking the female checkout customer.
- Shortly after – He assaults a 16-year-old boy in the produce area.
- Following minutes – Bystanders, including a loss-prevention officer and a juvenile, attempt to intervene; Tabor attacks them as well.
- Subsequent to the assaults – Target staff trigger an emergency evacuation.
- Police arrival – Officers locate Tabor, who is throwing merchandise, and arrest him.
Witness Accounts
Multiple shoppers recorded the events on cell phones. Andy Garbe described seeing the victim being choked and noted Tabor’s “bloodshot, demon eyes.” A 15-year-old bystander captured video of the rampage, while a female bystander reported that the victim was “almost dead.” The victim’s family transported her to a local hospital, where she remains in stable condition.
Law Enforcement Response and Charges
The Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) issued a press release confirming that the victim did not know Tabor. Officers arrested Tabor at Ventura County Main Jail and booked him on charges of attempted murder, burglary, assault, battery, and cruelty or unjustifiable pain to a minor.
Data Summary
- Victims: One female adult (near-fatal choking), one male teen (minor injuries), several other shoppers (minor injuries).
- Injuries: All non-fatal; victims treated on-site and released, except the adult who was hospitalized.
- Charges: Five counts, including attempted murder.
- Prior record: Recent release from custody for indecent exposure and assault of an officer; currently on probation.
Impact and Public Safety Concerns
The incident underscores the risk of random violent assaults in public retail spaces and raises questions about the monitoring of individuals recently released from custody. The rapid response by bystanders and law enforcement prevented a potentially fatal outcome.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources uniformly state that the victim did not know Tabor and that the assault was unprovoked. No discrepancies appear regarding the sequence of events, but details about the victim’s identity and the extent of her injuries remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We ran over … and we just see one lady on the guy's back, and then him just choking out another lady,” — Andy Garbe, Witness
- “He had the most bloodshot, demon eyes I've ever seen. He was definitely on something.” — Andy Garbe, Witness
- “Imagine someone being behind you, choking you out. And she was even saying she was trying to scream.” — Andy Garbe, Witness
- “He [Tabor] was choking her. She was almost dead.” — Female Bystander
- “Several people, including [police], said that the original victim could have died from being choked out if we didn't show up there in time,” — Garbe’s son, Witness
What’s Next
The SVPD will continue its investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tabor’s recent release and the adequacy of his probation supervision. Court proceedings on the pending charges are scheduled for the coming weeks.
