LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Wednesday morning the Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Clearlake Oaks man who authorities said was responsible for shooting at homes and who attempted to assault a deputy with bear spray.
Benjamin Wilkinson, 62, was taken into custody in the case.
The sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to the area of the 11000 block of Garden Court in Clearlake Oaks shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday on reports of shots being fired but were unable to identify the responsible party.
At 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Central Dispatch received numerous reports of shots being fired in the same area, the sheriff’s office reported.
Deputies arrived on the scene and set up a perimeter to ensure the community’s safety, the agency reported.
The sheriff’s office said deputies were able on Wednesday morning to identify Wilkinson as having been responsible for the shooting.
While deputies were arresting Wilkinson, he attempted to spray a deputy with bear spray. The sheriff’s office said a short struggle ensued before deputies took Wilkinson into custody.
No injuries related to the shots fired or Wilkinson being taken into custody were reported, the sheriff's office said.
Wilkinson was later transported and booked at the Lake County jail for felony shooting at inhabited dwellings, resisting arrest and misdemeanor illegal use of tear gas.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident and asks anyone with information related to this incident to contact Det. Jeffrey Mora of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..