Boonville man carrying a pistol in each hand arrested after shots fired

The man was booked into Mendocino County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, authorities say.|
ROBERT DIGITALE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A 73-year-old Boonville man who walked outside his home Thursday morning with a pistol in each hand was arrested after firing two shots at deputies, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said.

Ruben James Thommason was booked into Mendocino County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder.

Deputies responded about 6 a.m. to Thomasson’s home in the 18000 block of Mountain View Road after he reported to dispatchers that “

When deputies arrived, Thommason exited the home “carrying a pistol in each hand,” the news release stated. He pointed the handguns at deputies and retreated back inside his residence.

As negotiations began, Thommason fired a single shot near one of the deputies, the news release stated. After the arrival of a SWAT team, the Sheriff’s Office said, he fired a second round. Neither shot struck anyone.

After speaking with a relative by telephone, Thommason surrendered to deputies.

You can reach Staff Writer Robert Digitale at 707-521-5285 or robert.digitale@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @rdigit.

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