Thousand Oaks nursing home resident suspected of killing roommate

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said a Thousand Oaks nursing home resident has been arrested on suspicion of killing his roommate.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, deputies received a call from Silverado Memory Care Facility on Warwick Avenue at 4:40 a.m. Friday about an agitated resident who had broken a window. press release.

Authorities said deputies found 58-year-old resident Thomas Buckley in a common area of ​​the facility and took him into custody. Nursing home staff then checked on his roommate, 72-year-old Michael Patterson. Employees said Patterson suffered serious injuries that appeared to be the result of an assault.

Authorities said paramedics were called to the scene and Patterson was pronounced dead a short time later.

Investigators said that before deputies arrived, Buckley attacked one of the facility’s employees, causing minor injuries.

Patterson’s death is being investigated as a homicide. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.

The sheriff’s office said Buckley was arrested on suspicion of murder, assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism. He remains in custody and his bail has been set at $2 million. His arraignment hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in Ventura County Superior Court.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Det. Gerardo Cruz at (805) 384-4726 or Det. Erik Hernandez at (805) 384-4729.