Monday afternoon, April 15, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release concerning the shooting in Hamilton City early Sunday morning, April 14. According to the release:
“On Sunday April 14, 2024 [Editor’s Note: The press release incorrectly says April 12], at 0212 hours [2:12 a.m.], the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous report of approximately 15 gunshots heard in the area of 280 Shasta Street, in Hamilton City.
“While enroute to the call for service, a second caller reported her friend had been shot outside of the hockey rink in Hamilton City.
“While enroute to the scene, deputies learned the reported victim self-transported himself to Enloe hospital in Chico to receive treatment for injuries.
“Deputies arrived on scene and conducted a thorough search of the area outside the hockey rink at 250 Walsh Avenue in Hamilton City.
“While on-scene, deputies were unable to locate anyone else in the surrounding area.
“Deputy Goodwin was later able to contact both the victim and reporting party at Enloe hospital and interviewed and obtained statements from both parties.
“While at the hospital, Deputy Goodwin learned the bullet did not penetrate the victim’s skin. It was later located inside the victim’s vehicle.
“The bullet was recovered by investigators, and later booked into the GCSO evidence vault. Photographs of the interior and exterior of the victim’s vehicle were taken.
“At this time, the other involved party has not been identified, and the investigation is ongoing.
“Anyone with knowledge about the crimes, or any witnesses, are urged to contact Deputy Goodwin at the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office at 530-934-6431.”
The sheriff’s log item for this incident included no information that wasn’t already known, except that the victim was from Oroville. The woman who was a witness was apparently from Hamilton City.
Names and addresses were all blacked out.
Later in the sheriff’s log, for 12:02 p.m. on April 14, was this item:
“Marisela Ruiz is the manager of the Ashland apartment complex (208 Main Street, Hamilton City), and she called GCSO Dispatch to report there was a bullet in one of the tenant’s windows.
“Marisela believed the bullet was from the shooting that occurred during the night. Refer to call 24-005368 for details.
“Deputy Gonzalez was detailed to the complex, and he retrieved the bullet from the glass window. There were no witnesses that flagged down Deputy Gonzalez nor video surveillance that captured the incident, per Marisela.
A man was shot in Hamilton City in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 14.
At about 2 a.m., the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office received word that a resident on Shasta Avenue (the first street to the east of the railroad tracks that run north and south through the middle of town) had just heard several gunshots from somewhere in the vicinity of the skating rink.
A deputy began heading to Hamilton City.
At about 2:15 a.m., another call was received, this one from a woman who said a gunshot victim was transporting himself to Enloe hospital.
The woman was driving to Enloe also.
Additional law enforcement units (more deputies, California Highway Patrol officers, and Orland police officers) began responding to Hamilton City.
A deputy asked if the victims knew who the suspects were, and if it was known what kind of firearm was used.
The dispatcher replied, “They don’t know who was the involved parties,” then added, “The male who was shot is driving as well, conscious, talking to me.”
The man “was shot in the lower-right back.” The dispatcher said the incident occurred “behind the Ampla [Medical Clinic, 278 Main Street], at the ice hockey rink [250 Walsh Avenue, the first street to the west of the railroad tracks].”
The first deputy to arrive at the scene reported that there was no one else there. He asked the dispatcher if there were any other victims.
After speaking with the victims, the dispatcher told the deputy that they had arrived at Enloe hospital. The dispatcher said, “They said there was just two involved.”
The dispatcher added, “They were sitting in the car, or by the car, by the hockey rink, and two males in all black walked up, asked where they are from, and that’s when they opened fire.”
A deputy said he was enroute to Enloe. The dispatcher responded, “[The male victim] is already checked in.”
The dispatcher “advised [the hospital] we would like updates.”
A little later, the dispatcher told the deputy she had the “male victim info”.
The deputy informed Glenn County Communications that he had arrived at Enloe, and the dispatcher told him that the victim’s name was “Rex [unintelligible last name].”
Sometime after 3 a.m., law enforcement officers began to leave the scene in Hamilton City. However, at about 12:10 p.m. on Sunday, the manager of the Ashland Apartments, 208 Main Street, called the sheriff’s office to report that there was a hole in a window of one of the units. The manager thought it was related to the early morning shooting.
After battling COVID, Ronald Franklin Hobbs died peacefully on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. He was born in Saint Anthony, Idaho, to Mary and Gerald Hobbs on November 2, 1934.
His journey led him to Willows, where he and his wife, Joan, settled to raise a family. Professionally, he dedicated his years to trucking and heavy equipment, retiring from Louisiana Pacific in 2000.
He found joy in the great outdoors, as an avid hunter and fisherman, and entertaining at family gatherings. His gentle demeanor, storytelling, and love for his family and friends endeared him to all who knew him.
He will be deeply missed by his family and community.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Joan, with whom he celebrated 68 years of marriage on February 25; son George Franklin Hobbs of Nevada; daughter Nancy of Washington; grandchildren John, Brian, Nicole, and Natisa; and great-grandchildren Garrett, Anna, Brooklynn, and Grace.
He was preceded in death by his son Tony of Willows, who died on March 10, 2019.
Graveside services are planned to take place at the Willows Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 15.
An Elk Creek woman was trampled by a bull Friday afternoon.
At about 3:15 p.m. on April 12, Elk Creek Fire Department volunteers were dispatched to 3358 County Road 309 for a report of a 73-year-old woman who was trampled by a bull.
She was said to be suffering from a broken leg or hip, but was apparently conscious.
Responders were told she was outside by the corral on the property.
Mutual aid from CalFire was requested at 3:17 p.m.
A medical helicopter was requested and its personnel replied that they would call back with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) and other information.
A ground ambulance was also contacted and was responding out of Willows “Code 2” (no lights or sirens).
Elk Creek command asked that the medical unit’s response be “upgraded to Code 3” (with lights and sirens).
At 3:31 p.m., the Glenn County fire dispatcher informed Elk Creek command that the Enloe FlightCare helicopter had a 20-minute ETA.
Additionally, the dispatcher said, the helicopter would be landing in the field at the high school.
Five or six minutes later, Elk Creek command told the dispatcher that the helicopter could land at the scene, and the coordinates for the landing site were given.
At 3:56 p.m., it was reported that Enloe FlightCare was “on the ground.”
At 4:13 p.m., Elk Creek command announced that the FlightCare helicopter had lifted off and was heading to the Enloe hospital.
This was the sixth emergency call for the Elk Creek Fire Department so far this year.
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.
Reports that an Orland High School student had brought a firearm to campus and brandished it sent many parents and students into a panic on Tuesday.
According to a press release from the Orland Police Department, at 9:44 a.m. on April 9, Orland police officers were contacted by Orland High School administrators regarding a student brandishing a firearm.
Officers contacted several witnesses, who confirmed a 16-year-old male student brandished what was described as a black handgun.
While officers were investigating the incident, the high school was placed on a lockdown.
Officers were canvassing the area for the suspect, described as a white male juvenile wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.
The boy called the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office communications center to surrender himself to law enforcement. Officers with the Orland Police Department and California Highway Patrol located the boy in the area of First Street and Swift Street in Orland.
The boy was detained without incident. During the investigation a replica firearm was found.
The juvenile was arrested and charged with alleged possession of a replica firearm in public and on school campus, making criminal threats, and brandishing a replica firearm. The boy was turned over to the Glenn County Probation Department.
This investigation is on-going. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Orland Police Department Officer Lowery at 530-865-1616.
At 10:53 a.m., Victor Perry, Superintendent of the Orland Unified School District, sent out the following message:
“Your student is safe…. At approximately 10:29 a.m. on 4/9/24 Orland High School and North Valley High School went into a precautionary shelter in place.
“Staff have secured the areas for which they are responsible and will remain inside with students until further notice.
“Traffic inside and outside the area may be restricted, and you are asked to avoid this area until further notice. Please do not call for come to the school.
“Additional information will be communicated to you as soon as possible. Thank you.”
At about 1 p.m., the Orland Unified School District issued this press release:
“After the start of school today, the District received a report that a student had brought a weapon to the Orland High School campus, which the District later learned was a BB gun.
“District personnel took prompt and immediate steps for the protection and safety of students and staff, and initiated a shelter in place. The District immediately engaged law enforcement, and the Orland Police Department and California Highway Patrol responded to the school site.
“The District also locked down North Valley High School until law enforcement declared it safe for normal school activities to resume.
“Fortunately, no students or staff members were hurt, and the BB gun was not discharged on campus.
“The district takes this situation very seriously and is continuing to work with the Orland Police Department as they investigate this matter.
“While the District understands the desire for more information, there are specific laws that govern school districts that prohibit the District from sharing details of an ongoing investigation involving students.
“We will continue to work closely with law enforcement, mental health professionals, parents, and others committed to providing a safe learning and working environment for our students and staff.
“If you have any additional information regarding this matter, please call the District’s Superintendent, Victor Perry at 530-865-1200.
As mentioned above, some parents and other family members were highly agitated by the lack of detailed information from the school district. Others, however, felt the district acted appropriately.
One person on Facebook finally got fed up with a panicky family member of a student. The person wrote:
“It was a BB gun. You are freaking people out. The parents got updates as it was happening.”
The Willows Black Bear Diner. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
Two members of a biker gang got into a fight Sunday, with one of them pulling a gun and firing it.
The incident occurred about 9:38 Sunday morning, April 7, at the Black Bear Diner in Willows.
According to the Glenn County Sheriff’s log, the sheriff’s dispatch center received a call from the Black Bear Diner, 246 North Humboldt Avenue, regarding “subjects from a biker gang in a physical fight”.
The log item continues, “A firearm was produced, and shots were fired.
“Deputies responded to the scene, and two subjects were eventually arrested, and a stolen firearm was recovered.
“The subjects arrested were Brian Eldridge and Bradley Besana, and they were booked into the Glenn County Jail.”
It is easy to infer from the sheriff’s log that Eldridge and Besana were arrested together at the diner sometime after the arrival of the deputies.
However, both the Glenn County Jail’s press release and Sunday morning’s police scanner broadcasts indicate that the two men left the Black Bear separately on motorcycles, and they were taken into custody at different times in different places.
According to the jail’s media release, at 11:21 a.m., Bradley Michael Besana, 35, of Corning, was arrested on Highway 99 at County Road 48, Willows, on charges alleging driving without a license (a misdemeanor), receiving stolen property (a misdemeanor), and carrying a concealed stolen weapon (a felony).
His bail was set at $10,000.
At 12:48 p.m., Brian Lawrence Eldridge, 41, of Orland, was arrested at , Sycamore West Apartments, 1333 West Sycamore Street, Willows, on charges alleging receiving stolen property, and willfully discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner (both misdemeanors).
“Daisy’s News Briefs: The Long and Short of It” is dedicated to the memory of Daisy, the official newshound of The Glenn County Observer, who died on Jan. 22.
Mr. Q. cheats death: Former Orland High School music teacher, Orland City Councilman, Glenn County Supervisor, and Glenn County Superintendent of Schools Tracey Quarne narrowly escaped death last month.
Mr. Q., as he is known by many, was recently in Orland, along with his Quarne – er, corny ‑ jokes. (Example: Upon running into him – figuratively, not literally – at Sav-Mor market, The Observer asked him, “What brings you back to Orland?” Q. replied without missing a beat, “My car.”)
We’ll let Mr. Q. explain what happened after he got home in North Dakota. Below is his April First Facebook post, with only some minor editing by The Observer:
“And what a weekend it was!
“I returned from a road trip Thursday, March 21. I had a wicked stomach ache, thought the problem was my infamous cooking, so I dropped in at the Sanford drop-in Clinic North. The ER “Doc” I saw, Dr. Wolf, immediately told me to get to the ER Dept. I did.
“Once inside, the staff immediately took me to an ER room, where I was told to get a CT Scan. I did that.
“I returned to the ER room, where I was greeted by a surgical crew of some eight very professional-looking characters. The eldest of the bunch stepped out and shook my hand. He was Dr. Pansegrau. He is a surgeon.
“He said they normally provide surgery when the aneurism reaches 5 to 7 centimeters. I asked, What was mine?, not realizing I had one. He said, 12 to 13 centimeters.
“I asked how long would I have were I not to have the surgery. He then said, You’re not supposed to be here. I must’ve reacted with a bit of shock as he said you’re here for a reason.
“The next morning surgery, coupled with about three days of blur. Lots of phone calls, weird diet, and erratic sleeping hours – if at all.
I might be exiting the hospital tomorrow morning – alive!
“So, this is me,” Q. wrote, referring to a selfie he posted, “after a Triple A operation (Abdominal Aortic Aneurism). It’s a big operation and, if you need it, well worth it! Think Filet!
“The cut goes all the way down to the playground, and you absolutely look like hell!”
Cougar spotted northwest of Orland: Here, kitty, kitty, kitty! A “cat of a thousand names” (cougar, mountain lion, puma, panther, painter, catamount, cat of the mountain, mountain screamer, red tiger, Mexican lion, and American lion – and that doesn’t exhaust the list) was reportedly spotted Saturday morning, April 6, near the intersection of County Roads H and 7.
That is not far north of Stony Creek. As someone who responded to the warning posted by the person who saw the big cat, there are probably always mountain lions in the Stony Creek basin. We just don’t always see or hear them.
I have never seen a live one in the wild, but I once heard one when I was living north of Orland. It was very early in the morning, and I had just gotten home. As I was getting out of my van, I heard what I at first thought was a woman screaming, coming from the creek area. I continued listening, and I soon realized it wasn’t a human, but the mating call of a mountain lion – a scream I had previously heard on YouTube videos.
Anyway, Dear Readers who live near Stony Creek, don’t panic, but keep an eye on your pets and livestock, especially at night. There’s a ghost cat prowling (another name for a mountain lion, by the way).
Salgado busted for vandalizing church: Speaking of prowlers, Hermelindo Salgado was arrested shortly after noon on Thursday, April 4, for allegedly trying to break into the Evangelical Free Church, 614 A Street, Orland.
A couple of hours earlier in the day, he was seen trespassing on private property on County Road 12, near Taco Bell. According to the Glenn County Sheriff’s log: At 10:14 a.m. on April 4, Deputy Thompson was dispatched to a report of a Latino man who had been trespassing on private property at 6408 County Road 12. The deputy responded to the area but was unable to locate the man. The deputy spoke with the reporting party, Daniel Bell, who said he had last seen the man in the area of County Roads 12 and HH. Bell requested the man be admonished for trespassing. The deputy conducted an extensive check of the area but was unable to locate the man. Orland police officers later contacted the man, identified as Hermelindo Salgado. He was admonished for trespassing at 6408 County Road 12.
Orland police arrested Salgado. He was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging vandalizing a place of worship (a misdemeanor). His bail was set at $0.00 – in other words: nothing. He was out of jail the following morning. The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office soon received a call regarding a man attempting to rummage through the dumpster at the Dollar Tree on Humboldt Avenue in Willows. He was later seen on the property of Taco Bell, on the other side of Humboldt. Deputies finally caught up with him at the bridge on Wood Street where it goes over I-5. Salgado was admonished for trespassing at the Dollar Tree.
His stay on April 4 was not the only time Salgado has been a guest at the Grey Bar Hotel. Just two days before, he was booked for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance. According to the Orland police log: At 2:11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, in the “30 block of East Tehama Street”, Orland police officers were dispatched to a report of an unknown man standing in someone’s yard. Officers contacted Hermelindo Salgado, 35, of Orland, who was subsequently arrested and booked for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance. According to the Glenn County Jail, Salgado’s bail was set at $0.00 (nothing) on that occasion, also.
Ignoring the many times that Salgado was contacted by law enforcement and even booked into the jail but never charged for various offenses, Salgado was actually found guilty in court of the following: In November, 2022, he was sentenced to 60 days in jail and had his probation terminated after previously having been found guilty of possession of methamphetamine and violation of probation. In April of 2023, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail after previously having been found guilty of second-degree burglary and violation of probation. And, in June of 2023, he was sentenced to two years in prison after previously having been convicted of second-degree burglary and – you guess it – violation of probation.
Obviously, Salgado did not serve anywhere near his full sentence.
As a rule, whenever you park your vehicle in the Walmart parking lot in Willows, you hear music from the “Walmart Channel” being broadcast over their speaker system. However, when this reporter visited Walmart on Wednesday to do some grocery shopping, he was surprised to hear live music playing when he got out of his van. Not only that, the instruments being played were obviously fiddles, and the two boys playing them were performing The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”. I went inside the store and did my shopping, then, after loading my purchases into my van, I grabbed my camera and walked over to the young musicians. I learned that they were brothers: Ari Nercessian, 14, and Aven Nercessian, 12, of Stonyford. Their musical tastes range from Country and Gospel to Alternative and Classic Rock, among other genres. According to their father, they plan to audition for America’s Got Talent on June 20. Right now, though, they are trying to raise enough money to buy electric violins. For more information, visit www.fiddlinbrothers.com. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
Editor’s Note: The following report tells of a 16-year-old Orland boy who is accused of committing a double “deliberate homicide” in Montana. “Deliberate homicide” seems to be the equivalent of first-degree murder. Because this is such a serious crime, The Observer has decided to include the name of the accused teen.
Anyway, on March 1, The Glenn County Observer published the following story:
4 arrested after Orland shooting
Glenn County Observer
Four Corning teenagers, three of whom were minors, were taken into custody late Wednesday night following a shooting that took place at the Paigewood Apartments in east Orland.
At about 10:52 p.m. on Feb. 28, Orland police officers responded to the Paigewood Apartments, 745 Paigewood Drive, for a report of multiple shots fired from two vehicles.
Officers found evidence of shots having been fired, and, with the help of Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers, began searching for the two vehicles: a black Honda Accord and a black Dodge Charger.
Both vehicles were found in different locations (one of them on South Street), and the occupants of at least one of them were detained at gunpoint.
Following an investigation, firearms and other evidence were discovered and seized.
Angelo Hawk Sanchez, 18, of Corning, was arrested at South and Eighth Streets and booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging carrying a loaded handgun by someone who was not the registered owner (a felony), possession of a billy club, leaded cane, blackjack, etc. (a felony), willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner (a misdemeanor), and contributing to the delinquency of a minor (a misdemeanor).
Sanchez’s bail was set at $20,000. A call to the jail Friday afternoon indicated that Sanchez was no longer an inmate there.
The three boys, ages 17, 16, and 16, also from Corning, were arrested for firearms and weapons violations and turned over to Glenn County probation officers.
No injuries were reported during the incident and both vehicles were towed.
The Orland Police Department thanked the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office and the CHP for their assistance.
A month later, on Thursday, March 28, Hill County, Montana, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of the D&L Bar in Box Elder. According to a complaint and affidavit of probable cause from Agent Ryan Eamon of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation in the case of The State of Montana v. Angelo Hawk Sanchez:
At about 1:30 a.m. on March 28, Hill County Sheriff’s Deputy Cole Molyneaux was dispatched to 335 Highway 87, the D&L Bar, in Box Elder, Mont. Hill County dispatch relayed that a 911 call was received that gunshots had been fired at the bar.
While he was responding, dispatch informed Deputy Molyneaux that a gunshot victim was located in front of the Box Elder School. Deputy Molyneaux requested Hill County Sheriff’s Deputy Hooper continue to respond to the bar, while he, Molyneaux, respond to the gunshot victim at the school.
Upon Deputy Molyneaux’s arrival at the school, he found Darrin Wade Caplette. Caplette was receiving medical treatment from Rocky Boy Indian Reservation officers.
Molyneaux assisted with Caplette’s medical aid, during which he knew from his training, experience, and observations that Caplette had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
A Rocky Boy ambulance arrived at the Box Elder School, and Caplette was transported to the Northern Montana Hospital. Deputy Molyneaux knew from his training and experience that Caplette’s condition was deteriorating rapidly.
Deputy Molyneaux saw Melody Bernard on Main Street in Box Elder. Molyneaux knew from prior experience and contacts that Bernard was an associate of Caplette.
Deputy Molyneaux spoke with Bernard, who was highly distraught and crying. The only information Molyneaux could ascertain was that Caplette had “fallen off the wagon” and Bernard was instructed to find him.
Bernard told Molyneaux that she found Caplette at the D&L Bar. There, he waved at Bernard, and she spoke with him.
Bernard told the deputy that she believed that Caplette thought she was fighting with someone. She then told Molyneaux that when she was leaving the bar, she heard gunshots from the parking lot.
Bernard said she saw Caplette on the ground, screaming for her. She gathered Caplette into her vehicle, a white Dodge pickup, and transported him.
The other man, Thomas Roderick (T.R.) Yallup, was also transported in a private vehicle. The ambulance met it in Laredo, Hill County, Mont.
Deputy Molyneaux then went to the D&L Bar, where Deputy Hooper told Molyneaux that individuals in the parking lot were identified as witnesses to the shooting.
From information gathered from the witnesses, Hooper learned that the victims, Darrin Caplette, 41, and Thomas Roderick (T.R.) Yallup, 42, both of whom were residents of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation, were in the parking lot when the shooting occurred. The witnesses said they did not see the shooting but heard the gunshots and saw the aftermath.
The D&L Bar owner met with the Hill County deputies at the scene. Deputy Molyneaux requested Deputy Hooper go with the owner and view the surveillance footage from the bar.
While Hooper was with the bar owner, Deputy Molyneaux walked through the crime scene, looking for evidence of the shooting. He found blood stains, saliva, tire tracks, possible shoe impressions, and personal items.
Deputy Hooper returned from viewing the surveillance footage and reported that there were two suspects involved in the shooting and both of them fired guns. Hooper added that the vehicle they exited belonged to Melody Bernard.
Deputy Molyneaux notified the Rocky Boy Police Department of the suspect vehicle from the shooting. Deputy Bicknell told him that both Caplette and Yallup had died from the injuries they sustained in the shooting.
Deputy Hooper told Deputy Molyneaux that he was able to review the footage in more detail. He said he saw two suspects exit an older model, silver, pickup with several unique identifying characteristics. Deputies Hooper and Molyneaux know from prior experience that the vehicle in question belonged to Melody Bernard.
The footage showed her vehicle parked a distance away from the bar’s parking lot. The two suspects exited the vehicle and walked through the road embankment or drainage area to a collar-style fence.
The suspects moved around the gas pump in the D&L parking lot and approached Caplette and Yallup. One suspect was wearing all dark-colored clothing while the other was wearing blue sweatpants and a black hooded sweatshirt.
The faces of both suspects were obscured.
Later, Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Agent Bruce McDermott was provided video footage from March 27 of Melody Bernard’s residence. Three males shown on that footage corresponded with the suspects seen on the video footage from the D&L Bar on March 28.
Also on March 28, DCI Agent McDermott interviewed Melody Bernard, who was the registered owner of the suspect vehicle. Bernard identified the three individuals in the suspect vehicle as Angel Castillo, Miguel Ibanez, and Angelo Sanchez.
Two suspects, Ibanez and Castillo, allegedly presented firearms from their persons, firing several times at Caplette and Yallup. The suspect vehicle was seen moving closer to Ibanez and Castillo during the shooting, thereby aiding in their flight from the scene.
Deputies Molyneaux and Hooper determined that the suspects traveled away from the shooting the same direction from which they approached. The suspects then got into a silver or gold Chevy pickup known to belong to Bernard and fled the scene, traveling north on Montana Highway 87.
During a walk-through, DCI Agent Ryan Eamon observed a dark-colored Mercedes parked in the D&L lot, reportedly belonging to one of the victims.
While processing the scene at the D&L Bar, Montana DCI agents, along with deputies from the Hill County Sheriff’s Office, began initial interviews with individuals identified as people of interest in the shooting. DCI agents found evidence at the bar consistent with the shooting.
During the investigation, law enforcement gathered information that the suspects involved in the shooting were at the Super 8 Motel in Havre, Mont. Super 8 management allowed law enforcement to view the room registry and found that room #109 was registered to Angel Castillo.
During the earlier interviews by law enforcement officers, Angel Castillo was allegedly identified as the suspect driving the Chevy pickup away from the D&L Bar. The pickup was seen on surveillance footage from the bar as the vehicle the shooting suspects came to the bar in and entered as they fled from the scene.
Officers proceeded to room #109 at the Super 8 Motel and knocked on the door several times. Four individuals were found in the room.
The four were identified as Ashley Cortez, Angelo Sanchez, Miguel Ibanez, and Angel Castillo. They were transported to the Hill County Sheriff’s Office, where they were interviewed.
All four were advised of their rights. They declined to speak with law enforcement.
Three of the individuals – Sanchez, Ibanez, and Castillo – were arrested for deliberate homicide. A person convicted of deliberate homicide can be punished by death unless the guilty person is less than 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the crime, or by life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not less than 10 years or more than 100 years.
Hill County deputy sheriffs were assisted in their investigation by Cascade County Sheriff’s detectives, tribal police, Chouteau County deputies, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross said, “The initial information indicates that this was a targeted assault directed at these two men and we don’t have any evidence currently that would indicate a risk to the public at large.”
Because this is a homicide investigation, the bodies will be sent to the Montana State Crime Lab for autopsy.
Back on Monday, March 4, Miguel A. Reyes Ibanez of Orland went to the Orland Police Department lobby to report his 16-year-old son missing. Since he lives outside the city limits of Orland, the Glenn County Sheriff’s took the call.
Deputy Gonzalez was dispatched and contacted Ibanez in the OPD lobby to take the missing person report for his son. The boy was entered into the Missing or Unidentified Persons System (MUPS).
The Glenn County Observer 