Full Notification

Public Information Release
March 30, 2016
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


On March 28, 2016 at approximately 6:00 pm, deputies responded to a reported stabbing 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, which is located in the 3000 block of Hill Road E. in Lakeport.

Upon their arrival at the church, deputies contacted 64 year old Terry Alan Rucks 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 told the deputy he stabbed the victim while acting in self-defense. He explained 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 contacted the victim, who said he has been having issues with the homeless people trespassing onto his property. He said this has been occurring since the church started operating their warming shelter. He explained people will wait on his property for the church to open. He said today he noticed three male subjects who were on his property and had parked their vehicles at the end of his driveway, waiting for the church to open. The victim said he started yelling at the subjects and told them to leave. He explained that two of the subjects left the property, but Rucks stayed and they began to argue.

The victim explained that he began walking back to his residence when Rucks got into his vehicle and drove towards him. The victim said Rucks stopped his vehicle, got out and started walking towards him. Rucks then 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. 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.