Unemployed Man Behind in Rent is Accused of Shooting a Contractor
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BERKELEY — An unemployed man was arrested after a contractor was wounded. Two shots were fired inside an apartment building near the Berkeley campus of the University of California. The suspect is 43-year-old Giancarlo G. O’Hara.
O’Hara who lives at the apartments on Hillegass Avenue was behind in rent. He was previously served a three-day notice for nonpayment before an eviction process could begin.
Shortly before noon on September 18, a contractor arrived at Apartment 107. Reportedly, he was there for a repair request and apartment inspection. When the door opened, O’Hara allegedly shot a firearm aiming at his head.
The first shot missed the victim. But the bullet went through a wall into a vacant apartment next door. A maintenance worker had just left that adjacent apartment.
O’Hara allegedly followed the fleeing contractor into a hallway and fired a second shot. This time the contractor suffered a gunshot wound in his leg.
The suspect and victim each phoned the police. O’Hara told police he believed someone was attempting to enter his apartment. The wounded contractor reported that he was shot. He was brought to a hospital to receive medical treatment.
Responding officers placed O’Hara under arrest at 11:45 a.m. A firearm in his possession was recovered as evidence. O’Hara was transported and booked into Alameda County Santa Rita Jail.
For his actions, O’Hara is charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm PC 245(B). He also faces charges for using a firearm for violent conduct to cause bodily harm, PC 1170(B).
