This article was updated September 22, 2018 at 5:15 pm
On a daily walk far in the rocky slopes of Carbon Canyon yesterday, a longtime resident was taken by surprise when a single shot was fired at him from what appeared to be a short distance.
The shooting occurred at approximately 9:44 am near the end of an old dirt road, under the ridge East of Costa del Sol Road, approximately 3/4 of a mile due West of Fire Camp 8 high in the red rocks, near a rock locals call “Big Bear”.
The resident was climbing about 200 feet from Big Bear Rock, close to another rock called The Hand of God, when the shot rang out.
The resident, a retired target shooter familiar with the reports of various cartridges, described the shot as a “single shot, from a small caliber rifle .22 LR or .223 from the rocks above 150-200’ away”.
Although the resident did not see the shooter, he was estimates the shooter had him in plain site and was only a short distance above him, in the NW direction, and covered by brush and/or rock.
“I took it as a warning shot not to continue…” said the resident who absolutely believes that shot was meant for him, which was completely unexpected, as he walked deep in the wilderness he has frequented for decades with his dogs. The resident immediately then took cover, and called 911 at approximately 9.45 am, where he described the incident and the possible caliber used.
911 did not return his call.
Can you imagine?
911 did not return his call!
The resident who very is familiar with area and the terrain, was confident with a quick response from the Fire Camp 8 chopper, the shooter might have been pinned down as the area is very steep and inaccessible and very hard to move quickly.
Unfortunately, this was a missed opportunity to possibly get to the bottom of recent area shootings, and maybe it’s time to look into the 911 system. We have been conditioned to use it when we are in distress and need help, (such as being shot at perhaps?), it would be helpful to at least get a call back.
Residents have been gun-shy (pun intended) to say the least since the area has been plagued by shootings (some dating as far back as two years), of which one resulted in the murder of Tristan Beaudette who was camping in Malibu Creek State park with his two young daughters.
This particular resident also heard shots fired above him while walking in Rambla Pacifica a week earlier.
The shooter (or shooters) remains at large.
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