Home Invasion Suspect Shot While Allegedly Assaulting Resident, Authorities Say
SISKIYOU COUNTY, CA — “At 12:07 am on Thursday, November 6th, Siskiyou County Dispatch received a call from a man requesting medical assistance for a gunshot wound. The man, later identified as Joel Hammons, 45, stated that he had accidentally shot himself in the side and was in need of urgent medical attention.
Deputies and medical personnel were subsequently dispatched to the Mount Shasta Vista subdivision where they located Hammons and several witnesses. The witnesses alleged that Hammons had unlawfully entered their residence and violently attacked Kevin Palmer, 57, striking him repeatedly in the head with a wooden pole. During this altercation, Hammons threatened to kill the other occupants of the residence, prompting Ryan Edens, 28, to retrieve a .22 rifle and shoot Hammon, fearing for his safety and others.
Palmer and Hammons were transported to Mercy Medical Center in Mount Shasta to receive immediate medical care, and Hammons was ultimately placed under arrest for 245(A)(1) PC Assault with a Deadly Weapon, 422 (A) PC Threaten Crime with the Intent to Terrorize, 459 PC Breaking and Entering, and 273.6(A)PC Violating a Restraining Order. Edens was also arrested for outstanding warrants unrelated to this incident.
This is an active investigation, and we are seeking the public’s assistance. If you have any information related to this incident, please contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 841-2900, or file an online report via our website. For media inquiries, call our Public Information Officer at (530) 598-1647.”
