Full Notification

Lake County Sheriff's Office
Public Information Release
Lt. Corey Paulich

On November 23^rd, 2017, at approximately 8 PM Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a male who was shot in the area of the Sandy Beach Trailer Park located at 5800 E. Highway 20 in Lucerne.  The Deputies were flagged down by witnesses and the victim in the area of highway 20 and Bartlett Springs Rd.  The victim was being transported to the hospital by private vehicle. 

Deputies were able to identify the suspect as Jose Francisco Casillas, 33, of Lucerne.  Casillas had been at the victim’s residence on First Avenue earlier in the evening.  He was intoxicated and had been showing people a small handgun.  At one point Casillas got into an argument with the victim and was asked to leave. 

The victim later contacted Casillas at his residence where they again argued.  During the argument Casillas shot the victim one time in the right thigh.  An acquaintance of Casillas came to the residence and took the handgun that had been used.  Deputies were able to make contact with the acquaintance and recover the handgun. 

The victim was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital with a none life threatening wound.  Casillas was placed under arrest for violations of California Penal Code sections 245(a)(2)- Assault with a Firearm, 29800(a)(1)- Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and 30305(a)(1)- Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition.  Casillas remains in custody at the Lake County Jail on bail of $50,000.