The investigation started in May 2026 when Thousand Oaks patrol deputies responded to a burglary in the 2900 block of Teresa Drive. Investigators determined that Frank Holzer, a Thousand Oaks resident, had stolen firearms from Tasha Dunning, 49, according to an Aug. 3 statement issued by the Ventura County Sheriff ’s Office. Deputies later located Holzer and recovered several of the allegedly stolen weapons, including an assault weapon and a privately made firearm. That investigation led detectives to Dunning’s residence, where they served a search warrant on May 28 with assistance from the Sheriff ’s Special Crimes Unit. A search warrant was served at Cota’s residence on July 15 by members of the Gun Violence Reduction Program and the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit.