CLEARLAKE ? A man was killed in his Clearlake residence early Friday morning. Anthony Cruz, 30, died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the chest, according to the victim”s girlfriend, who witnessed the incident.
Cruz”s girlfriend said noise in the backyard awoke her from bed early Friday morning. She said she went into the living room where Cruz had fallen asleep on the couch and told him someone was in the backyard. “He went into the bedroom, stuck his head out the window and yelled at them; that”s when someone shot him,” she said.
Clearlake Police Department was requested at 5:03 a.m. for a report of a gunshot victim. According Clearlake Police Chief Allan McClain, the victim was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake Emergency Room where he was pronounced dead.
“At this point we know that there was a marijuana grow at the residence and the individuals were attempting to steal marijuana when the victim interrupted them,” Chief McClain said.
According to his girlfriend, Cruz had a history of medical conditions and was currently recovering from a recent hip replacement surgery. The marijuana that the suspects were attempting to steal, which she said he used for medicinal reasons, consisted of about six immature plants.
Cruz”s girlfriend said she doesn”t believe the primary motive in the incident was stealing the marijuana because the plants were immature and those targeted were less accessible than those that were not disturbed. “They went right passed the ones next to the gate and went for the ones that were under my bedroom window, which was open,” she said.
According to his girlfriend, Cruz had been involved in an altercation with another male about two days prior his death. She said she isn”t sure if the altercation is related to Friday”s shooting but believes it could be possible.
Chief McClain said that all leads in the case are being actively pursued. “We are actively chasing individuals that may have information regarding the possible suspect in this case. At this point we are still trying to put all the information together,” he said. “We want to see this thing solved as badly as everyone else and we have all the people we have actively working the case.”
Department of Justice and the Lake County District”s Attorney”s Office responded to assist in processing the crime scene. Clearlake Police Department is seeking anyone with information regarding who may have been involved in Friday morning”s incident. The police department can be reached at 994-8251.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
