A Colusa resident who shot a man outside his home in December, will likely not face any serious charges.
Colusa Police Lt. Sara Martin said the investigation into the afternoon altercation that led to one man being shot has been completed.
Colusa cleared 22-year-old Melvish Sharma of wrongdoing and submitted their recommendation to Colusa County District Attorney, who has final say on whether any charges should be filed.
Martin said Colusa police officers, aided by the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, were dispatched to Sharma’s residence in the 900 block of Jay Street around 2:30 PM on Dec. 21 to a report that Sharma had shot a man who was yielding a bat and striking an acquaintance in his front yard.
“The day of the incident, there was very limited information,” Martin said. “While multiple folks heard the gunshot in the area, there were only a couple who actually witnessed the incident.”
Martin said that after speaking with individuals involved in the altercation and witnesses, along with the evidence that was gathered, it was later determined that Sharma acted entirely in self defense and defense of another.
Martin said, as with most incidents, social media contributed to wild speculations about the incident, including that it was a “gang shooting,” which is false. She also said it was determined early in the investigation that there was no immediate threat to the public, also widely reported on social media.
“While most people want to know what occurred for a variety of reasons, including the incident happening near their residence or overall safety issue, it is crucial in the infancy of an investigation to not release information unique to the investigation that would only be known to the involved parties,” Martin said. “It assists in eliminating false information and isolating those who may try to involve themselves in the investigation with dishonest motivations.”
Colusa police also did not release the name of the man, who suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the chest area, in compliance with the California Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008, which gives victims of crime the right, among others, not to have identifying information released by investigating agencies, in large part to protect their families.
The bill, referred to as Marsy’s Law, was named after a University of California student who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Passage of this law in California has led to the passage of similar laws in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and continuing efforts to pass similar laws throughout the country.
“The integrity of an investigation is paramount,” Martin added. “It ensures a successful prosecution, which the victims of crime are entitled to.” ■