WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA – A California man, driven by a fascination with mass murder, has admitted to a violent spree that left multiple people injured and a 15-year-old boy dead. Austin Eis, 26, pleaded guilty last week to nearly a dozen felony charges following the rampage in Ventura County last year.

Eis’s criminal actions included a brutal attack on a Walmart greeter and a horrifying assault with his vehicle on students at his former high school, Westlake High School. Ventura County District Attorney’s Office says the chaos unfolded on April 18, 2023, when he struck Wesley Welling, a teenager who died from the incident, and injured three others, leaving them requiring extensive medical treatment.

Authorities say Eis commenced his violent actions by violently confronting a Walmart store greeter in Simi Valley, armed with a sharp object and pepper spray. Following this, he forcibly took additional weapons from his parent’s home, further preparing for the subsequent attack.

Prosecutors stated that Eis’s motivations were rooted in personal frustrations. After gathering weapons, Eis drove deliberately into a gathering of students in Westlake Village, aiming for a mass casualty event. Witnesses reported seeing his vehicle accelerate before colliding with the students and overturning upon hitting a bus stop.

The investigation into Eis uncovered a disturbing affinity for mass murderers and extremist thoughts. Text and communications prior to the event revealed his longstanding intentions to commit violent acts.

This plea agreement reached last week ensures Eis faces a potential sentence of 85 years to life, reflecting the severity and premeditation of his actions, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Amber Lee. The resolution avoids the victims experiencing further trauma from a court trial, allowing them to begin healing, Lee stated.

Eis’s plea includes charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and false imprisonment by violence. His sentencing is scheduled for April 14.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko emphasized the gravity of the crimes, acknowledging the irreversible impact on victims and their families. While expressing relief that Eis will be held accountable, he noted that no sentencing can erase the trauma inflicted.

Eis’s imprisonment seeks to offer reassurance to the community while serving justice for the heinous acts committed that day.