Mail Tribune News - Teen arrested in double shooting

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2002-01-12

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Teen arrested in double shooting HORNBROOK, Calif. -- A 16-year-old boy was arrested this weekend after he allegedly shot another teenager at least four times at close range. The victim, who is also 16, was hit in the face, chest and back, but the .22-caliber handgun was loaded with snake-shot -- tiny BBs -- that did not do much damage, said Siskiyou County sheriff's Sgt. John Villani. "Fortunately, for this guy, it didn't have much penetrating power," Villani said. "It was at close range and it certainly hurt, but it wasn't life threatening." The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday at the intersection of Hornbrook and Henley roads. The two teenagers -- both runaways from group homes -- had been at an alcohol and pot party at a nearby home, Villani said. The victim had been causing a ruckus at the party and the argument had moved outside. The suspect allegedly pulled the gun on the victim and shot him. During the struggle, he also allegedly shot bystander Desiree Ritchison, 19. She suffered pellets wounds to the face. Deputies were called to the scene. The shooter fled and the 16-year-old and Ritchison went to Fair Child Medical Center in Yreka, Calif. Both have been released. Later that night, deputies acted on a tip from a Hornbrook Neighborhood Watch group and learned that the suspect was hiding at a nearby home. They arrested the boy shortly after. Police learned that the gun used in the shooting had been taken out of a car that was stolen on Friday. The alleged shooter was charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and vehicular burglary. Villani said the alleged shooter was an escapee from a juvenile home. Villani said the victim gave a false identification because he also had escaped from a group home. He said the party was a small group of teenagers. "This is just a bunch of drunk kids being stupid," Villani said. Mail Tribune Copyright �  The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA