Sheriff: Lake County man shoots suspected trespasser with sawed-off shotgun

A Kelseyville resident investigating noises on his property said he felt threatened by a possible trespasser and twice fired his sawed-off shotgun at the man, wounding him, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspected trespasser, who wasn’t identified, was taken to an out-of-county hospital for treatment of his wounds, which officials said weren’t life-threatening.

Bryon Manson told deputies he’d been getting ready for bed late Saturday night when he heard noises, thinking someone could be in his home. Manson got his shotgun and checked the house then went outside, seeing someone on his property. He heard noises in a storage room and went to the door, warning anyone inside he would shoot if they came toward him. Manson told deputies he believed the person was approaching him and fired, hitting the man with shotgun pellets.

Manson said he warned the man again, and when the man tried to get up, Manson fired again, officials said.

Shotguns with sawed-off barrels are illegal. No one has been arrested, and detectives are investigating.

-Randi Rossmann