According to witnesses, “Smith had been involved in a verbal altercation with another subject when an unidentified third subject approached Smith from behind and fired a small caliber handgun at him one time,” striking Smith in his right leg. Sr. Officer Boggess noted that the gunman was described as a male Hispanic, wearing dark clothing, who fled on foot after firing on Smith.Assistant Police Chief Mark Hanson said that the incident is unusual. “We had two neighbors that were arguing in the street and another guy came up from behind and blasted Smith. The interesting thing is that the other party who was arguing with Smith and didn’t get shot called the police. The gunman just appeared, fired and ran away.”The investigation is continuing, and anyone with any information is encouraged to call SPPD investigators at 525-4474, or the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline at 933-4253-1-#. Callers can remain anonymous. Or, call the WeTip hotline at (800) 78-Crime. All information offered remains anonymous, even if the tipster qualifies for a WeTip reward.
Verbal altercation interrupted by puzzling weekend shooting
November 30, 2005
Santa Paula Police Department
A puzzling Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend shooting on Center Lane during a verbal altercation between neighbors left a city resident with a leg injury caused by an unknown assailant, who suddenly appeared and fired on one of the men, according to a Santa Paula Police Department spokesman.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA puzzling Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend shooting on Center Lane during a verbal altercation between neighbors left a city resident with a leg injury caused by an unknown assailant, who suddenly appeared and fired on one of the men, according to a Santa Paula Police Department spokesman. The shooting occurred on Friday, November 25 at about 9:30 p.m., according to SPPD Senior Officer Wallace Boggess.SPPD Officers had been dispatched to a “call of shots” at 650 Center Lane and, upon arrival, “encountered one subject who had suffered a single gunshot wound,” noted Sr. Officer Boggess. Kenneth Russell Smith, 41, of Santa Paula, was treated on scene by Santa Paula Fire Department EMTs and transported to Ventura County Medical Center by AMR paramedics for an injury that Sr. Officer Boggess said did not appear to be life-threatening.
