LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Wednesday two of the three suspects in the June 18 Clearlake shooting that killed a child and injured five others were formally charged with murder and a number of other counts that could result in lifetime prison sentences for both if they're convicted.

 

At an afternoon hearing before Judge Andrew Blum in Lake County Superior Court's Lakeport division, Paul William Braden, 21, and 29-year-old Kevin Ray Stone were charged in the case, filed by Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.

 

Stone is not yet in custody, but Braden and another suspect, Orlando Joseph Lopez, were arrested earlier this week, as Lake County News has reported.

 

Lopez so far has not been charged, Hinchcliff said.

 

“At this point we don't have sufficient evidence to charge him,” he said of Lopez, who remained in the Lake County Jail Wednesday afternoon with bail set at $500,000.

 

However, Hinchcliff said the investigation is continuing. “The Clearlake Police Department is going to be working on this case for a long time.”

 

Police have confirmed that it's the largest single shooting incident in the city of Clearlake's history.

 

Braden and Stone face a long list of charges that, according to an initial calculation, could send them both to prison for life if they're convicted.

 

Hinchcliff has charged both Braden and Stone with one count of murder for the death of 4-year-old Skyler Rapp, who succumbed to his wounds not long after the late night shooting.

 

The murder count carries either 15 years to life on a second-degree conviction or 25 years to life on a first-degree conviction, Hinchcliff explained.

 

According to Hinchcliff, both men also are facing five counts of attempted murder for shooting Desiree Kirby, 22, Skyler Rapp's mother; Ross Sparks, 25, and his brother, Andrew, 23; Ian Griffith, 19; and Joey Armijo, 15.

 

Each attempted murder charges carries a potential life sentence, Hinchcliff noted.

 

Hinchcliff said Braden and Stone also are facing two counts of mayhem for the most seriously injured victims; six counts of assault with a deadly weapon for each shooting victim; and numerous other special allegations, including personally using and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury.

 

Those special allegations each carry possible 25-years-to-life sentences, Hinchcliff said.

 

As for what both men could face if convicted of all charges, Hinchcliff said, “I haven't even tried to calculate what a potential sentence would be,” but added that most of the main counts carry potential life terms.

 

Hinchcliff said the court assigned Jacob Zamora as Braden's defense attorney.

 

Braden – and, if he's taken into custody, Stone – are scheduled to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, for entry of plea. Hinchcliff said they will appear before Judge Stephen Hedstrom in the Lake County Superior Court Clearlake division.

 

Hinchcliff said it's not unusual to charge someone in absentia, as was done in Stone's case. He said it happens quite frequently that the District Attorney's Office has probable cause, files charges and issues an arrest warrant.

 

Police have still not revealed what they believe spurred the late night shooting, in which the suspects are alleged to have shot the victims while they were at a party.

 

Hinchcliff said he couldn't discuss the specifics of the investigation, which is ongoing, or the possible motives.

 

He confirmed, however, that none of the special allegations related to gang involvement.

 

As for the victims who survived the shooting, the three who remained in care at UC Davis Medical Center had their conditions upgraded from earlier in the week.

 

On Wednesday afternoon, UC Davis Medical Center spokesman Charles Casey said Kirby is in serious condition, and both Griffith and Andrew Sparks are listed as in good condition.

 

Ross Sparks was discharged earlier this week, a hospital official said previously. Armijo had been treated at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and released, according to media reports.

 

A candlelight vigil for Skyler Rapp and his family will take place on Wednesday beginning at 9 p.m. at the baseball field at Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake. Hundreds of people are expected to attend.

 

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