Full Notification

It’s been a busy day for our patrol officers. This afternoon we responded to the report of an assault with a deadly weapon on Diablo Avenue and the report of shots fired on Jennifer Lane. Arrests were made in both cases. The incidents are summarized below.

-On 09/20/17 at 10:50 AM, officers responded to Diablo Avenue and South Novato Blvd. on the report of an assault involving a machete. Officers located a victim who reported being assaulted by 27 year old Novato resident, Michael Short. The victim said Short threatened him during a confrontation and cut his face with a machete. The victim was treated for minor facial lacerations at the scene by Novato Fire Department and released. Short was located during the investigation and placed under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats. The machete was recovered by officers at the scene.

-On 09/20/17 around 11:36 AM, our officers responded to McClay Road at Jennifer Lane after numerous callers reported hearing gunshots coming from a residence on Jennifer Lane. Witnesses reported seeing a male shooting a rifle into the creek area behind the residences. Officers responded to the area and located 31 year old Novato resident, Ryan Wechsler and 33 year old resident, Louis Thorsson outside the residence. A female, 33 year old Novato resident, Heather Howard was reported to be inside the residence. When Howard did not answer calls to exit the home, officers became concerned that she or someone else inside may be injured. Officers entered the home to check the welfare of Howard and any other occupants. During the search of the residence, several loaded firearms, an AR-15 style rifle, a home-made short barreled shotgun, ammunition and spent shell casings were discovered inside the residence and in the surrounding area. Thorsson, Wechsler and Howard were placed under arrest for a variety of charges including, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a short barrel shotgun, and discharging a firearm in the city limits. Additionally, Howard was placed under arrest for violating her parole and Thorsson was arrested for committing a felony while out on bail.

We are pleased to report that no one was injured in this incident. The firearms located and used in this crime are currently in police custody. The safety of our community is our top priority. Calls involving firearms not only pose a threat to our community, but to our officers as well. We encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361.