- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Law enforcement attempting to apprehend man responsible for Monday shooting
Shots were first fired in the area of Highway 29 near Cole Creek Road at about 10:45 a.m. Monday, according to radio reports and the California Highway Patrol.
The suspect in the shooting is identified as 43-year-old Joshua Caleb “Buck” Brown of Kelseyville, according to Sheriff Brian Martin.
Brown, who is reported to be angry about road and property issues, shot at a group that included Caltrans workers, law enforcement officers and County Supervisor Rob Brown, who was at the scene.
Rob Brown said the Buck Brown had cut an illegal road access to his property and then dumped concrete to block access to another property owner, which created an issue for Caltrans and also was a county abatement issue.
Caltrans was on scene to install k-rail until the property cut was fixed, Rob Brown said.
Rob Brown said he was with several Caltrans workers and CHP officers on Highway 29 about a quarter-mile north of Cole Creek when the shooting occurred. Also on scene were California State Parks rangers.
“He came running down the hill with a gun in his hand,” Rob Brown said of Buck Brown.
CHP Officer Rob Hearn yelled for everyone to get back. Buck Brown then ran back to his pickup, got his rifle and began shooting, Rob Brown said.
There were four shots, all of which he believed came from the suspect, as law enforcement at that point didn’t return fire, according to Rob Brown’s account.
Rob Brown said Buck Brown then moved back onto his property behind some oak trees in order to take cover.
At 11:30 a.m. the Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert to the public telling them to stay clear and that drivers should avoid the area between Kelseyville and Kit’s Corner.
The agency’s alert also directed nearby residents to shelter in place.
The Lake County Sheriff’s SWAT Team responded, and shortly after 12:15 p.m., a SWAT team from Mendocino County also had arrived, with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s helicopter Henry-1 also reported to be responding, based on radio reports.
Sheriff Martin told Lake County News shortly before 1 p.m. that Buck Brown was not yet in custody.
At that point Martin said Buck Brown had fired at law enforcement five times.
Additional details will be posted as they become available.
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