KELSEYVILLE — On Saturday afternoon at about 12:50 p.m. deputies responded to a residence on Highway 175 in Kelseyville to investigate a reported shooting, According to Captain James Bauman, Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) public information officer.
A neighboring property owner called 9-1-1 and said one of the residents, later identified as Nickolas Leone, 47, shot an alleged trespasser.
When deputies arrived at the scene, Leone told them that John Allen Kniss, 32, also of Kelseyville, had been harassing and threatening him over a woman Kniss had reportedly dated for several years.
Kniss apparently believed Leone was now having a relationship with the woman.
Leone told deputies that at about noon Kniss came driving up his driveway at a high-rate of speed and after stopping just short of the gate to Leone”s property, began trying to force his way through the gate.
Leone retrieved a shotgun and exited his home, telling Kniss to leave. Kniss reportedly ignored Leone”s demands and Leone reportedly fired a warning shot in the air. Kniss continued to force his way through the gate and when he stepped onto the property, Leone shot him in the arm and shoulder from a distance of about 80 to 100 feet.
Kniss was apparently able to return to his pick-up truck and leave.
Deputies were able to locate some blood and other evidence of the shooting at the scene, but a search for Kniss, including checks with both area hospitals, had negative results and he could not be found. Kniss had reportedly told other witnesses to the incident not to call the police before leaving the scene.
Kniss was reportedly driving an older blue pick-up truck and his condition is unknown.
Absent any clear evidence at the scene that Leone”s actions were justifiable, he was arrested for felony discharging a firearm in a negligent manner pending further investigation of the incident.
He was booked at the Lake County Jail and posted a $10,000 bail later that same evening.
