Man who fatally shot Anderson roommate arrested

ANDERSON — Authorities in Anderson say they have arrested a man who allegedly shot his friend and roommate during an argument that turned deadly early Wednesday evening, Feb. 6. The fatal shooting happened near the Hidden Acres subdivision on the 7100 block of Happy Valley Rd., and caused the closure of several streets in the area while officials investigated the incident.

LEADING THE SCNS HEADLINES:

UPDATE: Officials respond to allegations RPD officer nearly struck homeless teen with baton

Wanted sex offender, drug dealer, caught at Redding motel

Officers searching for pair who robbed Redding Rite Aid

Last night’s homicide investigation began just after 5 p.m., when SHASCOM received a 911 call reporting a shooting with a gunshot victim down at a home on Happy Valley Rd., Shasta County Sheriff’s Office later explained.

Responding deputies soon located a victim inside the residence, “who appeared to have at least one gunshot wound to his torso,” according to SCSO officials. The victim had already succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

“Upon deputies’ arrival they contacted two subjects who were cooperative,” Shasta County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Jackson later told Action News Now from the scene of last night’s homicide.

“One of the subjects we believe was responsible … is in custody, being talked to by detectives,” Jackson said at the time.

That subject, later identified as 34-year-old, Michael Patrick Oconnell, was eventually arrested and booked into Shasta County Jail in Redding on suspicion of murder.

Based on the circumstances, detectives assigned to Shasta County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit were called out and assumed the investigation. Detectives and crime scene personnel were seen working throughout the night and into the following morning; searching for, documenting, and collecting, evidence from the scene and conducting follow up interviews with area residents.

During their subsequent investigation, detectives interviewed both Oconnel, as well as a woman who was at the home when the shooting happened. Officials learned Oconnell shot his friend and roommate with a 12-gauge shotgun during an argument. The woman, who was not identified, was released after being interviewed.

The victim’s name and age have not been released, pending further investigation and notification of the man’s family.

Officials have not yet released any known motive or what may have led to the deadly shooting.

Oconnell remains in custody, and is scheduled to be arraigned Friday, Feb. 8.

The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit investigation is ongoing and officials have declined to release any further details or information.

Anyone with information about this homicide or what may have led to the deadly shooting is encouraged to immediately contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Major Crimes Unit at (530) 245-6135 or by email.

---

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.