- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Upper Lake man arrested for killing stepmother
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An Upper Lake man has been arrested after authorities said he shot his stepmother to death during a Tuesday night argument.
Matthew Daniel Mora, 35, was arrested shortly before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. Corey Paulich said that at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 600 block of East Highway 20 in Upper Lake for a report of a gunshot victim.
When deputies arrived they found a female deceased from an apparent gunshot wound, Paulich said.
Paulich identified the shooting victim as 56-year-old Christine Mora. He said witnesses had identified Matthew Mora as Christine Mora’s stepson.
Matthew Mora fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival, Paulich said.
Over the next several hours, deputies sought Mora, who at one point had been reported to be walking along East Highway 20, later being spotted at various locations around Upper Lake, based on radio traffic.
Scanner reports also indicated that the firearm was left behind at the scene.
Paulich said witnesses stated Matthew Mora was intoxicated and arguing with family at the residence when he shot his stepmother.
The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene to continue the investigation, Paulich said.
Paulich said deputies located Mora at a local hotel and took him into custody.
Mora was booked at the Lake County Jail early Wednesday morning. He is being held on $1 million bail.
Mora was booked at the Lake County Jail on a charge of murder early Wednesday morning. He is being held on $1 million bail.
Paulich told Lake County News that the sheriff’s office’s only previous contact with Mora was for a vehicle violation in 2018.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 707-262-4238.
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