CLEARLAKE — On Sunday at approximately 2 a.m. James Mitchell, 67, was asleep in his home in the 14200 block of Olympic Drive when a vehicle drove into the front of his residence.
A 1994 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by Kevin Quinn, 51, drove almost completely into the residence.
Mitchell armed himself with a handgun and went to the area of his home where he heard the crash. Once Mitchell went into the room the vehicle drove into, he was confronted by Quinn who exited the vehicle.
Quinn advanced toward Mitchell in an allegedly threatening manner while making threats to kill him, according to the Clearlake Police Department (CPD).
Mitchell was reported to have retreated from the room and attempted to run from his home.
CPD said that as Mitchell was trying to exit the house Quinn caught up to him. Mitchell fired his handgun at Quinn and struck him multiple times. Mitchell reportedly went outside the residence to notify police.
CPD officer Travis Lenz who was on patrol observed Quinn walking out to Olympic Drive while holding a handgun and contacted him. At this time Lenz was unaware of the shooting or the crash as a Clearlake Police Dispatcher was currently on the phone with a person who was reporting hearing a possible vehicle crash and gunshots in the area. CPD Sergeant Tim Celli and Officer Ryan Peterson arrived at the scene within one minute and they located Quinn inside the residence suffering from life threatening injuries from what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
Medical personnel from the Lake County Fire Department were dispatched to the scene and arrived a short time later. A REACH helicopter was dispatched to the scene and landed at Haverty Field in Austin Park. Prior to being transferred to the helicopter, Quinn died at the scene from his injuries.
CPD detectives responded and took over the investigation.
At this time is appears Mitchell acted in self-defense and he was justified in shooting Quinn. As is standard in this type of case once the investigation is complete it will be sent to the District Attorneys Office for review.
CPD is asking anyone with information regarding this case contact CPD Detective Alvarado at 994-8251.
