COTTONWOOD: No charges filed against man who shot girlfriend’s ex-husband during disturbance

COTTONWOOD — Officials say no charges are planned against a man who shot his girlfriend’s ex-husband during an early-morning disturbance Saturday, Nov. 11. The disturbance and shooting happened on the 3000 block of Willow Street, southeast of 4th and Main Streets, in Cottonwood.

Deputies from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence about 12:36 a.m., after SHASCOM received a 911 call reporting a disturbance at the location.

The 911 caller told emergency dispatchers that her friend’s ex-husband “was at the location causing a disturbance,” Shasta County Sheriff’s Sgt. Logan Stonehouse explained in a written press release after the shooting incident.

While the 911 caller spoke with dispatchers, she advised that the disturbance had turned violent and one of the two men was armed with a gun. The caller then updated that a gunshot had been fired.

When deputies arrived at the home they found a man, who was later identified as 30-year-old, Joseph Ruth, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the leg.

Deputies immediately requested medical aid for the injured man while they began investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting.

Ruth was evaluated and treated at the scene before medics transported him to an area hospital, “where he was treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound,” said Stonehouse. He was later released from the hospital.

During their investigation, deputies interviewed both Ruth and Bull, as well as others who were at the residence and witnessed the violent encounter and shooting.

Deputies learned that Ruth, who was angry over his failed marriage with Crystal Paris and that she had a new boyfriend, had made threats to harm Paris’ current boyfriend Bull earlier in the day in Tehama County.

Deputies also determined that Ruth showed up at the residence uninvited and was the primary aggressor during the encounter.

At some point during the incident, the disturbance turned violent and Ruth reportedly threatened to stab Bull.

“(Ruth) was reaching into his pocket during the physical altercation,” Stonehouse explained. “Bull then pulled out a firearm and fired one round, striking Ruth in the leg.”

“Based on the information regarding this incident, no charges will be filed on Bull at this time,” said Stonehouse.

After he was released from the hospital, deputies arrested Ruth and he was later booked into the Shasta County Jail in Redding on suspicion of making terrorist threats and assaulting Bull.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident or who witnessed the shooting or incidents that led up to the disturbance and shooting is encouraged to contact Redding Police officials at (530) 245-6025. Callers can refer to incident file number 17-40045 and can remain anonymous.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.