CLEARLAKE OAKS >> Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 23-year-old Christian Ian Michael Meiler for allegedly shooting and killing a Clearlake Oaks man late Thursday night.
The victim was identified as Brian Thomas Hultman, 31. According to LCSO Sgt. Corey Paulich, deputies responded to a report of shots fired near Highway 20 and Oakgrove Avenue around 10 p.m. Hultman was found lying in the street with a gunshot wound to the chest.
After first responders tried desperately to revive him, a helicopter was requested with a landing zone on Orchard Shores, to transport the victim to a nearby hospital. Safety officials sent out “Code Blue,” a hospital code indicating that a patient requires immediate resuscitation.
Hultman was then transported by a ground ambulance to Adventist Health Hospital in Clearlake where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation continued into the early hours of Friday with Major Crimes detectives in the secured area.
“Deputies received information from witnesses that a male subject by the name of Chris, who lived in the area, may have been responsible for the shooting,” Sgt. Corey Paulich said in a prepared statement.
He added that after searching the scene and interviewing witnesses, including Meiler, detectives arrested him at 3:45 a.m. alleging his involvement in the fatal shooting of Hultman.
Meiler was found in his vehicle near Oak’s Red & White Store by 10:30 p.m., less than a mile away from the scene. He is currently held at the Lake County Jail facing charges of murder and possession of a firearm. His bail is set at $1,000,000.
Firehouse Pizza received several calls Friday morning from locals who believed the shooting took place at the parlor.
“We aren’t sure why so many people believed the shooting took place here. It all happened on Oakgrove (Avenue), the street right across. So, maybe that’s why, ” one Firehouse Pizza employee said.
Gina Randazzo-Bezoni, who said she lived around the corner from the scene, said, “I normally feel safe where I live; however, last night was different, knowing someone was out there who is dangerous.”
Motives are still under investigation. LCSO asks that anyone with information should contact Detective Richard Kreutzer at 707-262-4233 or at richard.kreutzer@lakecountyca.gov
