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Man dies after being shot by mother's boyfriend during argument; investigation still under way
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police are investigating a Wednesday night shooting that claimed the life of a Clearlake man.
Stephen Wooldridge, 33, died shortly after the shooting incident involving his mother's boyfriend, who told police that it was accidental, according to Lt. Tim Celli, acting Clearlake Police chief.
Celli said that at approximately 11:17 p.m. Wednesday Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to a residence located in 16200 block of 36th Avenue for a reported gunshot victim, with the first officer arriving on scene two minutes after dispatch.
When officers arrived, they discovered Wooldridge had suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest, Celli said.
Wooldridge was conscious, alert and breathing at the time the officers arrived. There were several family members and friends at the residence as well, according to Celli.
Celli said medical personnel were requested to the scene and on arrival immediately began treating Wooldridge, who was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. Radio reports indicated he was being combative with paramedics on the way to the hospital.
Medical personnel were preparing to fly Wooldridge to an out-of-county trauma center, but Celli said Wooldridge succumbed to his injuries before he could be flown out and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Clearlake Police detectives responded to the shooting scene to take over the investigation, Celli said.
Although the shooting remains under investigation, Celli said the preliminary reports indicate that the circumstances leading to the shooting began with Wooldridge arguing with his mother over the phone.
Celli said there had been an earlier conflict that continued into the evening. Wooldridge became further upset when his mother refused to answer his phone calls, prompting Wooldridge to go to her home on 36th Avenue.
When Wooldridge arrived at the residence, he was reportedly very upset, yelling and banging on the door, and demanding entry into the home. Celli said Wooldridge eventually forced his way into the residence through the garage door.
Once inside the residence, Wooldridge was met by his mother’s boyfriend, 82-year-old Johnny Stevenson, who also resided at the home, Celli said.
Celli said reports indicate that Wooldridge was threatening Stevenson, who had armed himself with a .22-caliber rifle. Wooldridge refused to leave the residence, threatening Stevenson that he was going to beat him up. It also was reported to police that Wooldridge was challenging Stevenson to shoot him.
Celli said Wooldridge began to approach Stevenson in a threatening manner. Stevenson claimed to have cocked the firearm to warn Wooldridge from approaching him when the firearm went off, hitting Wooldridge once in the chest.
Police interviewed numerous witnesses as well as Stevenson, Celli said.
After conferring with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Celli said it was decided that Stevenson would not be booked into Lake County Jail at this time for Wooldridge's death.
However, Celli said the investigation remains ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, it will be forwarded to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for further review.