Mendocino County Man Arrested after Allegedly Shooting at Friend’s Girlfriend
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A Mendocino County man has been arrested in connection to an assault with a deadly weapon, as well as alleged drug possession and an outstanding warrant.
According to a press release by the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded late on the morning of Tuesday, May 9, to the Boonville area for a report of an assault. Deputies had been dispatched to the area after being unable to reach the victim by phone, and soon located the victim.
The victim told deputies that she had been with her boyfriend and his friend, later identified as 29-year-old Pedro Alejandro Saldana, the night before at a home on Anderson Valley Way when, at one point, Saldana suddenly threw an unknown object at her unprovoked. Saldana then allegedly began arguing with the victim, then retrieved a handgun and fired a shot over the victim’s shoulder. The incident deescalated a short time later, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies soon discovered, however, that the home the three individuals had been at, and the property it sat on, was owned by an uninvolved person and that nobody else was allowed to be on the property.
The Sheriff’s Office then obtained permission from the property owner to search the property and all its buildings. Deputies responded to the scene and at the property located the victim’s boyfriend, who reportedly told them that Saldana had left the property prior to their arrival. When deputies inquired about the vehicle parked nearby, the man “could not articulate” why Saldana had not simply left in the vehicle, the Sheriff’s Office said.
At that point, deputies detained the man and then called out for Saldana to come out of the residence on the property. After around fifteen minutes, Saldana reportedly came to the door but refused to cross the threshold, refusing numerous orders to do so.
Ultimately, Saldana came outside and was detained.
Deputies searched the residence and reportedly discovered a handgun, a “personal usage” quantity of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Deputies also noticed evidence in open view in the vehicle, and additional evidence connected to the firearm was found inside.
Saldana was ultimately taken into custody on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon (firearm), possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm, discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, an outstanding felony arrest warrant, misdemeanor probation violation, and misdemeanor battery.
It was unclear at press time whether Saldana had retained an attorney.
