Trinity Co. Sheriff’s Press Release:

On Thursday, May June 6, 2013, at approximately 1012 hours, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of shots fired. The location of the incident was given as SR 36 near Mad River Road in southern Trinity County. A local realtor reported that he had taken prospective clients to view real estate at the location and was confronted by a female subject living on the property. The subject threatened the realtor and then fired a shot as the realtor left the area.

Trinity County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene where they were confronted by a female subject armed with a rifle. Deputies attempted to negotiate with the subject and persuade her to relinquish the weapon. However, the subject fired a shot and threatened deputies with the rifle. Deputies subsequently fired on the subject striking her in the torso. Southern Trinity Area Rescue responded to the scene to render medical treatment, but the subject succumbed to her injuries. The subject was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 1405 hours.

The subject was identified as Shirley Jean Peeler, 51, of Mad River. Ms. Peeler had reportedly been living on the property that previously belonged to her parent(s). However, she was supposed to vacate the property when it was placed on the market, but had failed to do so.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, along with the assistance of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, California Department of Justice, and California Highway Patrol. The investigation is continuing and no further information is available at this time.

 

Previously: Deputies Shoot Armed Individual near Hwy 36