MENDOCINO Co., 5/13/19 — The following article includes the most recent press release issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MSCO), concerning a man being shot in Covelo, a subsequent search and the destruction of an unpermitted cannabis grow. On June 30, Sunday, the 22 year old man was shot multiple times, and had to be airlifted to a hospital. He was operated on and survived, but is in intensive care. There is yet no specific suspect that has been identified, and law enforcement are seeking information.
We strive to be transparent with our readers about our reporting process — many newspapers take press releases from law enforcement and print them under the heading “staff” or quickly rewrite them, giving the impression of reporting. We want to be clear that we are merely passing along this press releases, that we have not done independent reporting, vetted it, or verified it.
Here is the full press release:
DATE: “July 2, 2019”
MCSO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number: 2019-19252
Crime/Incident: 254(a)(2) PC [Assault with a deadly weapon-firearm]
11358 H&S [Cultivate Marijuana]
11359 H&S [Possess Marijuana for sale]
Location: 24500 Block of Hulls Valley Road, Covelo CA
Date of Incident: 06/30/2019
Time: 6:37 PM
Victim(s): Hispanic Male, 22 years of age, Covelo CA
Suspect(s): Unknown
Written By: Lieutenant Shannon Barney
Synopsis: On 6/30/2019 around 6:37 PM the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) received several 911 calls from the Hulls Valley Area, north of the town of Covelo. The callers began to relate that a possible shooting had occurred in the area and one Hispanic male may have been shot. A second caller related the shooting victim was trying to flag down cars in the area. The victim was eventually able to get a ride where he was met by an ambulance from Covelo Fire. Emergency Medical Service personnel confirmed the victim had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and transported him to a safe landing zone where he was transferred to an air ambulance and flown directly to a trauma center, where he underwent immediate surgery. MCSO later confirmed the victim had suffered significant trauma from multiple bullet wounds to his chest and arm. He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for recovery.
MCSO Patrol Deputies responded to the Hulls Valley area and found where the victim had attempted to flag down a vehicle. They located a blood trail and followed that trail back to a gated driveway nearby. As they were nearing the gate another Hispanic male, Salvador Torres-Rubio (21 years of age out of Santa Rosa, CA), approached carrying two large bags of marijuana. Torres-Rubio was detained and observed to be possibly under the influence of a controlled substance. Torres-Rubio related to the deputies there were other persons in the area who were armed and might shoot at responding officers. Torres-Rubio also indicated there might be a second person on the property who had been shot and was deceased. Deputies then initiated a callout of the Mendocino County Inter-agency SWAT Team while MCSO Detectives completed a search warrant for the residence and property.
Using the SWAT Team the residence and property were searched but no other persons were found on the property. The property was approximately 30 acres and covered with heavy brush and timber. Sheriff’s Deputies did locate numerous greenhouses used to cultivate marijuana. Deputies waited until daylight and initiated a more detailed search of the property for another shooting victim but did not locate any injured or deceased persons. Deputies did not see any clear indicators that a second person had been shot. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Marijuana Unit responded to the location and determined the growing operation was not permitted at the State or County level. Deputies eradicated 1286 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. The plants ranged from 3 feet to 5 feet in height.
The case is currently under investigation. Salvador Torres-Rubio was arrested on an arrest warrant issued by the Superior Court in the County of Sonoma. The warrant listed charges of 243.4(e)(1) PC [Sexual Battery] and 1203.2 PC [Violation of Probation]. He was booked into the Mendocino County Jail on a “no bail” status pursuant to the warrant.
The extent of Torres-Rubio’s involvement in either the growing operation or the shooting is still under investigation.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Sheriff’s Detective Unit, via WeTip (800)782-7463 or the MCSO Communications Center at (707)463-4086.
Approved by: Lieutenant Shannon Barney
Well… What the hell is this?? Didn’t y’all’s vote on background checks to buy ammunition and firearms?? So how did this happen?? Better take a vote to see who’s responsible for this along with the other one in San Francisco… Supposed to be for our own good.. so things like this don’t happen..
Can anyone really expect anything different from such an assnine law?
Come get some!