Questions, concerns growing, “nerves rattled”, after second early morning Westwood shooting
WESTWOOD, Calif., — Authorities today are continuing to investigate the shooting of a man near Birch and 7th streets in Westwood early this morning, July 26. The victim sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg and was treated and since been released from an area hospital.
Although officials have said this morning’s shooting was not believed to be related to a Pine Town shooting less than a half-mile away that injured another man Thursday, July 8, some area residents have voiced raising concerns over similarities in the two early morning shootings. That victim had to be flown to a Reno hospital for treatment of his serious, but non-life-threatening injury, according to officials.
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Lassen County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the home shortly after midnight after receiving reports of a man who had been shot and was outside a private residence, Lassen County Sheriff’s Sergeant Brad Pon has since reported.
When deputies arrived they found a shooting victim sitting on the front porch of the residence, suffering from a single gunshot wound to his lower right leg. Officials did not specify if the victim lived at the residence where he was located or where the shooting was believed to have occurred.
“After deputies determined the area was safe and provided basic first-aid to the victim, SEMSA paramedics and Cal-Fire personnel arrived on scene and began rendering medical care approximately one minute later,” said Pon.
The victim was transported by ground ambulance to Banner Lassen Medical Center in Susanville with non-life-threatening injuries, where he was treated and released later that morning, according to the Sergeant.
During their subsequent investigation, deputies obtained statements from citizens in the area and collected evidence of the shooting; however, their investigation did not lead to any immediate arrests.
“An ongoing investigation is being conducted by deputies and investigative units,” said Pon; while adding that this morning’s shooting was not believed to be related to the Pine Town shooting two and a half weeks ago.
“At this time, there is no outstanding threat to the public,” the Sergeant added.
SEE RELATED: Investigation continuing after Westwood shooting injures man
Despite Pon’s reassurances, some area residents have said that similarities in the two shootings lead them to believe the incidents could be connected.
Citing the facts that both shootings happened in the early morning hours shortly after midnight, that both incidents involved victims who were shot in the leg, and the fact that the two shootings occurred less than a half-mile apart, one area resident who lives on a street adjacent to where this month’s earlier victim was found said she believed the incidents must be related.
“How can we have two shootings happen so close to each other, both late at night, and both with men shot in the leg and they not be related?” the concerned and incredulous citizen who requested to remain anonymous asked. She said she contacted SCNS after reading a Sheriff’s release about the second shooting and could not believe the two shootings, which happened so close to her home, could not be related.
“I can admit, my nerves are rattled. All our nerves are rattled and we’re all on edge, wondering what might happen or who might be shot next,” she said of her and her neighbors; adding, “One way or another, somebody, some home or business owner, has to have captured something that could help deputies solve these shootings before somebody else gets hurt.”
Anyone with information regarding either of Westwood’s recent shootings or who believes they may have captured video relevant to either incidents is encouraged to contact the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 257-6121.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
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 30 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 18 grandchildren.
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