UPDATE 6:15 p.m.
MENDOCINO Co., 6/7/18 — The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has released an official statement on this morning’s stand-off in Boonville, which took place at a residence in the 18000 block of Mountain View Road. The MCSO is now alleging that the shooting was an attempted murder, and have arrested Ruben James Thommason, 73, on that charge.
According to a press release, Thommason allegedly fired a gun twice in the direction of law enforcement officers. The incident drew large numbers of law enforcement, including the SWAT Team and a negotiator, to the area and shut down the Anderson Valley High School for the day.
Thomasson is currently being held in custody on attempted murder. The MCSO booking log website is down as of the time of publication, and no information about bail is provided in the press release.
Very early this morning the MCSO responded to a call concerning suspicious activity at Thommason’s residence. According to the press release Thommason believed that, “unknown people were walking through the walls of his residence.” When deputies arrived, he was spotted exiting his house, after which he allegedly pointed a firearm at deputies and then went back inside.
MCSO officers then called for back-up and officers from the Ukiah Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, California Fish and Wildlife, and members of the Mendocino County Multi-Agency SWAT Team responded. A negotiator was also enlisted to speak with Thommason. He then allegedly fired in the direction of law enforcement officers twice: once towards an officer located at the permitter of his property, which missed, and then a second round allegedly fired at officers after the arrival of the SWAT team. The MCSO was able to take Thommason into custody safely, at around 8:30 a.m., after he spoke with a relative over the phone.
Here’s the full press release from MCSO. The original article covering this morning’s incident can be found below.
DATE: “June 7, 2018”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number: 2018-16112
Crime/Incident: 664/187 PC – Attempted Murder
Location: 18000 Block of Mountain View Rd, Boonville
Date of Incident: 06/07/2018
Time: 6:00 AM
Victim(s):
Suspect(s):
Ruben James Thommason
73 Years of Age
Written By: Lt. J. Caudillo #1191
Synopsis:
On 06/07/18, at 0430 hours, deputies with the Mendocino County Sheriff‘s Office were dispatched to an address off of Mountain View Road in Boonville, for a report of suspicious circumstances occurring inside the residence. The homeowner, Ruben James Thommason, was reporting that unknown people were walking through the walls of his residence.
Sheriff‘s deputies arrived at the residence at 0600 hours in marked MendocinoCounty Sheriff‘s Office patrol vehicles. The deputies observed Thommason exit his residence carrying a pistol in each hand. Thommason pointed the pistols at the deputies before retreating back inside of his residence.
Sheriff‘s deputies took cover, called for additional resources, and began to negotiate with Thommason. Officers from the Ukiah Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, California Fish and Wildlife, and members of the Mendocino County Multi-Agency SWAT Team responded to assist.
While the deputies on scene were attempting to negotiate with Thommason he fired a single road from one of his pistols towards one of the officers stationed on the perimeter. This round did not strike any of the deputies or officers at the scene.
Thommason fired a second round from one of his pistols towards deputies and officers after the arrival of the SWAT Team. Thommason eventually surrendered after being allowed to speak over the telephone with one of his relatives.
Thommason was transported to the Mendocino County Jail and booked without incident.
Approved by: Lt. J. Caudillo #1191
Original article
MENDOCINO Co., 6/7/18 — 9 a.m.: A dangerous situation resolved peacefully this morning in Boonville, when a local man made a brief stand-off with law enforcement, near the airport.
While he has not been identified, he has been described as someone who was a threat to himself and others. He fired a couple shots, and was taken into custody by law enforcement around 8:30 a.m. Apparently no one was hit by the gunfire, and as far as we can tell no one was injured.
According to Superintendent Michelle Hutchins, the situation has been cleared, but school has been canceled at Anderson Valley Junior-Senior High School, for the day. School is only canceled at the high school.
Here is some reporting from our friends over at MendocinoSportsPlus: