Man Arrested for Alleged Battery, Discharge of Firearm in Susanville
A Lassen County man has been arrested in connection with an alleged altercation in which he is accused of committing battery and discharging a firearm.
According to a department press release, the Susanville Police Department received a report of a fight in the Diamond Mountain Casino’s parking lot, with one of the involved individuals allegedly armed with a firearm, just before 1 AM on September 10. Susanville Police officers responded to the scene with assistance from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol.
Authorities determined at the scene that a gunshot had been fired within the parameters of the parking lot, but the individual who had allegedly been armed had fled the scene with a larger group. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident. Witnesses at the location provided descriptions of the vehicle and the suspect involved.
Around 3:30 AM, police obtained information regarding the possible whereabouts of the suspect on the 900 block of Main Street. Officers responded to the area and reportedly contacted several individuals believed to have been present at the initial incident, one of whom was identified as Victor Velasquez Jr., 20, of Sacramento.
Authorities reportedly discovered two handguns at the location where Velasquez had been standing when they made contact with him. Velasquez was shortly thereafter arrested on suspicion of battery with serious bodily injury, being a felon in possession of a firearm, willful discharge of a firearm, carrying a loaded handgun not registered, carrying a loaded handgun with a prior felony conviction, and possessing a firearm without an identification mark.
The case has been forwarded to the Lassen County District Attorney for further review. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Susanville Police Department at 530-257-5603.
It was unclear at press time whether Velasquez had retained an attorney. All persons arrested on suspicion of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
