LAKEPORT, Calif. – Deputies and police officers responded to a report of a man with a gun behind a Lakeport business Thursday in an incident that officials believe is not connected to a robbery and fatal shooting two weeks ago in Kelseyville.
Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. Steve Brooks said deputies and Lakeport Police officers were not able to locate the subject, who was seen behind the Sears store on S. Main Street, and they’re seeking information from the community about the incident.
At approximately 5:40 p.m. Thursday officers and deputies responded to Sears, with deputies arriving within four minutes after the 911 call was placed, Brooks said.
An employee at the store reported that he was behind the business talking on a cell phone when he saw a male subject, wearing all dark clothing, walking next to the storage units behind the business, according to Brooks.
Brooks said the employee reported the man had a nylon stocking covering his face and was holding what appeared to be a revolver in his right hand. The employee believed he was about to be robbed and began running back inside the store.
The employee said as he was running, he saw the subject point the firearm at him. Once inside the store he called 911 and locked the doors, according to Brooks.
A second employee went to the back of the store to check that the doors were locked and observed a man walking away from the store behind the storage sheds, Brooks said.
Brooks said the second employee reported that the subject was wearing dark camouflage clothing and was holding what appeared to be a revolver. He believed the subject may be older, because he could see his hair was white.
Deputies conducted an extensive search of the area and were unable to locate the subject, Brooks said.
Brooks added that the sheriff’s office believes the suspect seen behind Sears was an isolated incident and is not connected to the Jan. 18 robbery and murder of 33-year-old Forrest Seagrave in Kelseyville. That case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information pertaining to the Lakeport case is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.