Sheriff: Round Mountain teen fired stolen gun at Shasta Lake man after theft of scooter

A 14- year-old Round Mountain boy was in custody Tuesday after firing a stolen gun at a man chasing him, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office said.

At 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, Shascom 911 received calls about a man chasing three juveniles near the Circle K store on Shasta Dam Boulevard in Shasta Lake, the sheriff's office said. Callers also reported hearing gunshots.

Allen Richards, 58, of Shasta Lake told deputies the youths stole his scooter from a nearby skate park, according to the sheriff's office. He said he was chasing them to get it back when one of them shot at him with a handgun.

The youths ran away, the sheriff's office said. No one was injured.

With help from witnesses and a California Highway Patrol helicopter, deputies found the boy hiding in the Grand River Avenue area and took him into custody, the sheriff's office said.

When deputies found the handgun — with help from K-9 Toni — they learned it was reported stolen, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies arrested the boy on suspicion of assault with a firearm and theft of a firearm. He was booked into Shasta County Juvenile Hall.

Also on Tuesday, the sheriff's office said the agency found the other two youths and later released them to their guardians.

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Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Shasta County Sheriff's Office at 530-245-6540.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: 14-year-old accused of firing gun at Shasta Lake man