Man attacked by group in Cottonwood, has handgun stolen
COTTONWOOD — Authorities say a man was attacked by a group of subjects after they flagged him down early this morning, Sunday, July 21. The incident happened as the victim was on his way home from work, in the area of Gas Point and Rancho Estate roads in Cottonwood.
During the attack the victim, who has a CCW and was legally armed with a 9mm handgun, attempted to defend himself with his weapon. During a subsequent struggle, the victim had his weapon taken from him and two people, including a juvenile, were later arrested after the alleged attack. The victim’s handgun was not recovered at the time and is still missing and now listed as stolen.
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Deputies began investigating the incident shortly after 3 a.m., after the victim fled from the area and reported the assault and theft of his handgun to SHASCOM emergency dispatchers, Shasta County Sheriff’s Sgt. Garet Baldwin later reported.
Deputies who responded to the area learned the victim had just gotten off work and was driving home, passing the 20000 block of Gas Point Rd, when several subjects flagged him down. Not knowing if the subjects needed help or assistance, the victim stopped to see what the people needed, at which time they proceeded to attack him, Baldwin explained.
During the assault, the victim “attempted to draw his 9mm pistol, for which he has a CCW to carry, and he subsequently dropped the gun during the struggle,” said Baldwin. “One of the subjects grabbed the pistol and ran away with it.”
The subjects fled to an address on the 20000 block of Gas Point Rd. where the victim saw one of the subjects standing in front of the residence, “waving the stolen pistol in the air” while taunting the victim, according to Baldwin.
After the attack and having his handgun stolen from him, the victim left the area and called 911 from the Gas Point Market where he met with deputies.
Christopher Miller and a 17-year-old were arrested after authorities say they attacked a man on his way home from work. During the assault, the suspects managed to grab a handgun the victim tried to use to defend himself with. The firearm has not been recovered. SCSO photo
Deputies responded to the Gas Point Road address where the victim saw the subjects flee to and surrounded the residence. They then made several PA announcements ordering everyone inside the residence to come out, at which time several people exited the home and were detained.
“Deputies conducted an extensive search of the residence and property, but were unable to locate the missing firearm,” according to Baldwin; who said the suspects refused to cooperate with deputies or tell them where they had hidden the handgun.
At the conclusion of their investigation two people, including 20-year-old Christopher Miller – who was already on probation for assault with a deadly weapon – and a 17-year-old male were arrested for robbery.
The minor’s name was not released due to his age and he was eventually booked into Juvenile Hall. Miller was booked into Shasta County Jail.
The victim was later treated at an area hospital for treatment of his injuries, which Baldwin described as minor.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation or who knows the whereabouts of the victim’s stolen handgun is encouraged to immediately contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 245-6540. Callers can refer to incident file number 19S026952 and can remain anonymous.
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.
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