KELSEYVILLE — A man was arrested Saturday night on charges of attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly shot a hitchhiker.
Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) deputies responded to a reported gunshot victim in the 9000 block of Highway 175 Saturday about 8 p.m., according to LCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Steve Brooks.
Brooks said when deputies arrived at the home, they were reportedly told by witnesses that their roommate stumbled into the home and said he had been shot in the abdomen. The witnesses reportedly told the deputies they took the victim to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment.
Brooks said the witnesses were unable to provide any information as to who shot their roommate.
Deputies contacted the victim at Sutter Lakeside Hospital. He said he was hitchhiking on Highway 175 near Wildcat Road, where he received a ride from three unknown men, according to Brooks.
The men reportedly drove the victim to an area on Diamond Dust Trail off of Highway 175, where one of the men allegedly told the victim he wanted his marijuana and everything else he had, according to Brooks.
Brooks said the victim reportedly attempted to get out of the vehicle and started to struggle with the suspect, who was sitting next to him. During the altercation, Brooks said the suspect reportedly fell out of the vehicle onto the ground while continuing to fight with the victim.
Brooks said the victim was reportedly standing above the suspect, who was on his back, when the man allegedly drew a handgun and shot the victim once in the abdomen.
The victim told deputies he retreated to his home and contacted his roommate, who reportedly drove him to the hospital, according to Brooks.
During the course of the investigation, Brooks said deputies were reportedly able to identify John Chester Cook, 33, of Middletown as the person allegedly responsible for the shooting.
Deputies later located Cook and the firearm used in the alleged shooting in the Loch Lomond area. Brooks said a check of the gun revealed it was reported stolen out of Clearlake.
Cook was arrested on charges of attempted robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of stolen property, being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm in public. He was transported and booked into the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility.
