Glenn County Observer
Late Tuesday afternoon, April 9, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release concerning the shooting that took place at the Black Bear Diner in Willows on April 7.
According to the release, at 9:37 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a physical altercation in the Black Bear Diner parking lot in Willows.
Deputies arrived on scene and found the involved parties had fled the scene prior to their arrival.
After speaking with witnesses, deputies learned one of the involved parties of the altercation had fired a handgun at the other involved parties as they were fleeing the Black Bear Diner parking lot.
Shortly after the incident in the parking lot, it was reported that Brian Eldridge, 41, walked into Glenn Medical Center with a possible gunshot or stab wound. Deputies responded to Glenn Medical Center and learned Eldridge was the victim of a stabbing.
Through witness statements and video surveillance, deputies were able to determine Eldridge was involved in the altercation at the Black Bear Diner and was subsequently arrested for willfully discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner and for receiving or being in possession of stolen property.
(Note: The GCSO media release strongly suggests that Eldridge was arrested at Glenn Medical Center, the address for which is 1133 West Sycamore Street. Previously, the Glenn County Jail’s news release for bookings on Sunday, April 7, gave only the address for the arrest location: “1333 West Sycamore Street”, which is the address for the Sycamore West Apartments. A call for clarification by The Observer to the GCSO on Wednesday was unsuccessful due to the fact that those who would know with certainty were out of the office, but it was recommended that The Observer “go with” Tuesday’s press release and give the arrest location as Glenn Medical Center.)
According to the GCSO media release, while responding to the above incident to assist the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol located a motorcyclist believed to be fleeing from scene at the Black Bear Diner incident. CHP conducted an investigative stop on the motorcycle at Highway 99 and County Road 48 in Willows.
The rider was contacted and identified as Bradley Besana, 35. Deputies were able to determine Besana was involved in the altercation at Black Bear Diner and was subsequently arrested for allegedly riding without a license, carrying a concealed stolen firearm, and being in possession of or receiving stolen property.
As of this time, the other involved parties have not been identified and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with knowledge about the crimes or witnesses who were not contacted at the scene are urged to contact Detective Lopeteguy at the Glenn Investigations and Narcotics Task Force at 530-934-6431, or in person at the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, 543 West Oak Street, Willows.
The Glenn County Observer 