Magalia gunman still at large 24 hours later, neighbors spend another night in the dark
MAGALIA, Calif. — The Butte County Ridge community remains on edge Friday night after a gunman threatening to shoot people Thursday night remains at large.
It was in the area of Skyway and Hupp Coutolenc road in Magalia. The Butte County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) told residents, via social media and their CodeRED app, to essentially shelter in place right before 7:30 p.m. for reports of a man walking with a black handgun. "Lock vehicles and houses, report suspicious activity immediately," reads the Facebook post.
Despite an "extensive area search," including both ground and air units, that persisted overnight and into the day, a suspect is still at large Friday evening. BCSO could not provide an update to KRCR by the time of this article's posting, only saying they have been actively searching the area since the initial reports came in.
RELATED CONTENT | Butte County deputies search for armed suspect in the Magalia area on Thursday night
People living in the area, like longtime Magalia resident Sara Crary, spent the night waiting for updates.
"My son Craig, he got on whatever it was on his phone (police scanner app) and he tells me, 'Mom, there's a gunman. There's a fellow up there that says he's going to shoot the next person he sees.' We normally don't keep our doors locked. We locked our doors last night," says Crary, speaking outside her home just a short few minutes away from the Skyway and Hupp Coutolenc intersection.
Despite high stakes, the few living nearby are taking precautions but are not scared for their lives. Residents like Crary say they are at ease knowing they have a gun or other protection of their own to guard their property until BCSO locates the initial suspect.
BCSO describes the suspect as a white man and, as of Thursday night, wearing blue jeans and a black sweatshirt. Anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity in the area is urged to alert them either by calling 911 or their non-emergency line at (530) 538-7322.
--
To report errors or issues with this article please email the editorial team.
