Mike Castro happened to ride his motorcycle past right when two other hotspringers dropped off Gary Roe northeast of the Bowen property. Then while hiking on public lands around the Bowen Ranch on his way to Deep Creek, 'Hotspringer Roe' openly stood on a hill 800 yards east of the Bowen Ranch; he watched while Mike Castro delivered a violent tirade against the Bowen customers that had innocently given him a ride. When the innocent Bowen customers finally drove away from the Bowen Ranch toll gate, semiautomatic rifle fire erupted from the Bowen Ranch. 'Hotspringer Roe' declared that some of the bullets ricocheted off rocks between him and the Bowen Ranch; the ricochets flew over his head. In fear for his life 'Hotspringer Roe' ran down off the hill and dove into a dry wash until the fusillade was over. He then continued on to the hot springs where he informed many other hotspringers of the shooting incident.The gunfire incident occured around noon Sunday, February 09, 2003. 'Hotspringer Roe' walked on public land around the eastern boundary of the Bowen ranch; he never set foot upon the Bowen Ranch property. Mike Castro knew that 'Hotspringer Roe' was walking around the eastern boundary of the Bowen Ranch. The semiautomatic rifle gunfire came from the immediate vicinity of the Bowen Ranch toll building. Hotspringer Roe' was not struck by any of the ricochets nor did any bullets hit the ground close to him. 'Hotspringer Roe' did hear ricocheting bullets fly over his head.
Penal Code Sec. 246.3. Except as otherwise authorized by law, any
person who willfully discharges a firearm in a grossly negligent manner
which could result in injury or death to a person is guilty of a public
offense and shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not
exceeding one year, or by imprisonment in the state prison.
Post Edited (02-15-03 09:34)
