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MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – Law enforcement officials are continuing to search for a Fort Bragg man who is the chief suspect in the weekend shooting that claimed the life of a Fort Bragg councilman.
Aaron James Bassler, 35, a transient from Fort Bragg, was identified as the alleged shooter in the death of Jere Melo, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office reported.
Melo, 69, a former Fort Bragg mayor and current councilman, was found shot to death on private timber company property he helped manage located four miles east of Fort Bragg and adjacent to the Noyo River and the Skunk Trail railroad, according to reports from the sheriff's office, and statements from the city of Fort Bragg and the League of California Cities.
A Monday report from Liz Evangelatos of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office said that an autopsy ruled Melo's cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.
Evangelatos said the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office and other city and state law enforcement agencies continue to conduct searches in attempt to locate suspect Bassler.
Sheriff's officials urged Fort Bragg area residents to be cautious, as Bassler was last seen armed and is considered dangerous.
According to a Fort Bragg Advocate-News report, Bassler had reportedly been hit with a Taser and arrested for driving under the influence in February after he drove his pickup at high speeds through the city before crashing on school grounds.
A Saturday report from Mendocino County Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Stefani said that Melo had been on the timber property with another person – who has not been identified by law enforcement – when Bassler allegedly was seen shooting at them.
The witness who was with Melo fled the area and contacted law enforcement with a cell phone, resulting in a search of the area by a SWAT team, Stefani said. Melo's body reportedly was found the following day.
Melo, who worked as a security contractor for Campbell Timber Management, was investigating a marijuana grow operation when he was shot to death Saturday, according to a statement from the city of Fort Bragg.
In a statement posted on the city of Fort Bragg's Web site, officials said they were in shock over the murder of Melo, who was described as a “close friend and colleague.”
“Jere was the best of us. No one gave more of himself to our community,” Fort Bragg Mayor Dave Turner said in the written statement. “The shock of his death is too fresh to begin to realize all the
ways we will miss him.”
Turner added, “Words cannot express our sadness.”
Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) also expressed his deep sorrow “over the senseless loss of this wonderful man.”
Chesbro said, “Jere was always generous with his time and his energy. He found a way to be a bridge between the Fort Bragg of the past and the Fort Bragg of the future. There are no words to describe the hole this will leave in the community. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Jere’s wife, Madeline, and their two children.”
League of California Cities Executive Director Chris McKenzie said, “Jere Melo was a shining
example of a public servant. His tireless dedication to Fort Bragg and all the cities of California was
unmatched and will be irreplaceable. The League is devastated by the loss of Jere and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Madeleine, and his extended family and friends.”
“California cities have lost a great leader. Jere Melo exemplified how one person has the power to
make a great difference in his community. Many of us entered into public service to improve our
communities and Jere was an inspiration to all,” said League President and Modesto Mayor Jim
Ridenour.
Melo was raised in Mt. Shasta City, later attending the University of California at Davis and Berkeley, receiving a bachelor of science in forestry in February 1964, according to a biography provided by the city of Fort Bragg.
He received a commission in the U.S. Army upon graduation from Berkeley and served in South Korea and in NORAD on the continent.
Melo moved to the Fort Bragg area in 1966 when he accepted a position as a forester with Union Lumber Co. Upon his employment with Union Lumber, the Army assigned him as company commander to the local Army Reserve unit, and he served six years in the reserves.
He served on the Fort Bragg Planning Commission for four years before he was elected to the Fort Bragg City Council in 1996, serving as mayor from 2000 to 2004.
Melo also served on the board of the Mendocino Local Agency Formation Commission and the Fort Bragg Fire Protection Authority, as well as on the League of California Cities board from 2003 to 2008.
He was chair of the League’s Coastal Cities Issues Group and president of the League’s Redwood Empire Division in 2000. He also served as chair of the League’s Environmental Quality Policy Committee in 2002 and as vice chair in 2001.
Melo and hiw wife, Madeleine, were active in the Episcopal Church, Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation and the Fort Bragg-Otsuchi (Japan) Exchange Association, among other groups.
A wanted poster said Bassler was last seen wearing dark clothing.
He is described as a white male, 6 feet tall and weighing 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with any information about Bassler and his location is asked to call authorities at 707-463-4086 or 707-961-2479.
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