A man trespassing at a Turlock residence was fatally shot by the homeowner Tuesday morning, the Turlock Police Department reported.
The man sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene in the 1100 block of Dianne Drive. The man’s identity has not been confirmed at this time. Turlock Police spokesperson Officer Mayra Lewis said he was a 22-year-old white male.
At 7:56 a.m. Tuesday a 911 caller reported a shooting in the Dianne area. The responding officers searched the area and found the victim deceased outside. He was found near an open field and a barn, with a dirt bike lying nearby.
The homeowner, identified by the police as 58-year-old Robin Boyer, told investigators he shot the man as he was trespassing on his property. Boyer told the investigators he witnessed the man taking items from his property and confronted him. He said an altercation ensued, at which point he fired his gun.
He also told the investigators it was not the first time he had seen this individual trespassing on his property.
A shotgun was recovered at the scene, Lewis said.
Neighbor Manuel Oliveira said he was familiar with the problem of trespassers. He said he has been dealing with them more frequently over the past few years and has been frustrated with the response from law enforcement.
“I told them, I don’t even own a gun, but one of these days they were going to be called out here and see something they don’t want to see,” Oliveira said.
Oliveira said he has had his trailers stolen during the daylight hours and found them later at scrap metal yards.
Oliveira said he had seen a guy on a motorcycle in just the last few days and that he had been telling people to keep an eye out for him.
At this time the homeowner has not been taken into custody. The case will be forwarded to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office and they will make the decision on whether or not to file charges against Boyer.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Brandon Bertram at 668-5550, ext. 6623.
