Lakeport >> A man who said homeless people have been trespassing on his property was stabbed during an altercation on Monday evening. The incident near the warming center established by several local churches.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies responded to the stabbing at about 6 p.m. in the 700 block of Park Way in Lakeport. Central dispatch advised that the suspect was reported to be at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the 3000 block of Hill Road East in Lakeport, Lt. Steve Brooks said in a press statement.
Upon their arrival at the church, deputies spoke with Terry Alan Rucks, 64, of Lower Lake. Rucks told the deputies that he was involved in the altercation and had called central dispatch to report the incident as well. The stabbing victim was being attended to by emergency medical personnel across the street from the church.
Rucks reportedly told the deputy he stabbed the victim in self defense, Brooks said. He alleged that the victim kicked the passenger side of his vehicle and was yelling at him. Rucks said the victim began punching and kicking him, forcing him into driver’s seat of his vehicle. Once in the vehicle he reached for a knife, which he kept in the vehicle and stabbed the victim.
Rucks told the deputy that he thought he stabbed the victim in the arm.
After speaking to Rucks the deputy spoke the victim, who claimed he has been having issues with homeless people trespassing onto his property, Brook said. He added this has been occurring since the church started operating their warming shelter.
One purported witness claimed the victim shouted “this will put an end to your shelter” at some point during the altercation.
The stabbing victim alleged people will wait on his property for the church to open. He said on Monday he noticed three men on his property had parked their vehicles at the end of his driveway and believed they were waiting for the church to open. The victim admitted he started yelling at the subjects and told them to leave. He said that two of the subjects left the property, but Rucks stayed and they began to argue.
The victim claimed that he began walking back to his residence when Rucks got into his vehicle and drove toward him, Brooks said. The victim said Rucks stopped his vehicle, got out and started walking toward him. Rucks then allegedly turned away and attempted to kick him at the same time. The victim said he grabbed Rucks shoulder to turn him around and that’s when Rucks stabbed him in the chest. After being stabbed, the victim said Rucks left his property and went to the church parking lot.
The victim was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital and then flown out of county for additional medical attention. Rucks was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility where he was booked.
