LAKE COUNTY — Alan Ashmore has pled no contest to murder and attempted murder charges stemming from a 2017 shooting spree, according to Lake County District Attorney Susan Krones.
Ashmore pled to the first degree murder of his father, Douglas, age 85, as well as Richard Braden, age 64, Krones said. In addition, Ashmore pled to the attempted first degree murder of California Highway Patrol Officer Steven Patrick. In all three cases, Ashmore “admitted the personal discharge of a firearm that resulted in death and great bodily injury,” the DA said.
In August 2018, Ashmore had pled not guilty to the charges that had been brought against him by reason of insanity.
The charges stem from events which occurred on Oct. 23, 2017 in Clearlake Oaks.
The following is a retelling of those events by Krones in a press release issued this week, following defendant Ashmore’s plea.
“The defendant had a 22 year old female friend at his house. The defendant became angry and shot the female in the foot. The female was able to escape out a window and ran to the neighbors’ house for help. Meanwhile, the defendant shot and killed his father who had tried to intervene. The defendant then retrieved a shotgun from his residence and took his father’s vehicle and fired at several houses and neighbors.
“The defendant located Richard Braden in a vehicle parked on the street. The defendant shot Mr. Braden as he sat in his car. The defendant then continued driving and encountered CHP Officer Steven Patrick who had responded to a call about the shooting in the area. Ashmore fired several shot gun rounds at the officer striking both the patrol vehicle and the Officer’s ballistic safety vest. Despite his injuries sustained due to the force of the projectile, Officer Patrick and a responding Sheriff’s Deputy went after the fleeing defendant and also provided protection to a nearby elementary school.
“The defendant fled to a Chevron station and entered the station store with a shotgun. He confronted a beer vendor as he entered the store. The defendant fired the shotgun at the vendor. The vendor went to retrieve his (concealed carry) firearm in his vehicle. The defendant took a soda from the store and went back to his vehicle. The vendor fired several times at Ashmore’s vehicle in an attempt to stop the defendant. The defendant proceeded to drive to the Power Mart gas station and entered that store with the firearm. The defendant robbed the store at gunpoint for cigarettes and a lighter.
“Next, the defendant drove up High Valley Road. In an attempt to escape law enforcement, the defendant lit several small fires that were later extinguished by Northshore and Cal Fire firefighters. The defendant drove to the parking lot of Brassfield Winery where he brandished a firearm at a person at that location. Lake County Sheriff Deputies pursued the defendant and were able to block him at the intersection of Bartlett Springs Road and High Valley Road (where) the defendant surrendered.”
