From the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:

Perez Marin.

On 04/18/2017, at approximately 6:55 AM, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call that a 19 year old Native American male, had arrived at the Covelo Fire Department, driving his own vehicle, suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the torso. The victim was treated medically and later evacuated to an out of area hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and were able to ascertain that the victim had driven to a friend’s residence, located in the 79800 block of Zenia Road in Covelo. The property is residential land belonging to the Round Valley Indian Tribes. Once at the residence, the victim was confronted by a Hispanic male, later identified as Paulino Perez Marin, 47 years of age out of Santa Rosa.

Marin was armed with a rifle and started yelling at the victim. The victim started to leave the location in his vehicle and while doing so Marin fired multiple rounds at the victim. Numerous round struck the victim’s vehicle, with at least one round striking the victim in the upper torso. 

After the location was identified, the Mendocino County Interagency SWAT Team, Sheriff’s Investigative Services, Patrol Deputies and members of the County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team responded.  The suspect was not located, however Detectives, in the process of serving a search warrant, were able to ascertain the identity of the suspect and located evidence that was consistent with the statements made by the victim.

It was determined that the suspect was in the process of setting up a commercial marijuana growing operation at the location. 788 marijuana plants were eradicated and there was no evidence that the marijuana operation was for medical purposes or allowable under state and county guidelines.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the suspect and information as to his whereabouts. Any persons with knowledge if this crime are encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707)463-4086, or the Tip Line at (707)234-2100.}