Amador County – A Willow Creek man was arrested Monday, April 30 for shooting his brother in the head, assaulting a deputy and other charges.

Richard Brian Cotterell, 53 was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, negligent discharge of a firearm into an inhabited dwelling, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and battery on a peace officer.

Amador County Sheriff's Department reported receiving a 9-1-1 call at 5:48 p.m. Monday from a residence in the 15000 block of Muller Road in Willow Creek. The caller said a 43-year-old male had been shot in the head by his brother. The caller reported the suspect may be within the garage of the residence or may have fled the area. 

Deputies responded and stopped two vehicles arriving at the scene, detaining five people associated with the vehicle. While detaining the subjects, three people exited the residence, including the victim.

The victim had a gunshot wound on the left side of his head, to which he was applying pressure with a cloth. The victim said his brother had shot him through the wall while he was on his bed. The victim was moved to a safe location, treated by American Legion Ambulance and Amador Fire Protection District personnel, and transported by helicopter to Sutter Roseville Hospital. He was in stable condition Tuesday.

The owner of the residence believed the suspect, Cotterell was in the garage, and may have committed suicide, based on hearing additional shots fired in the garage. As he was interviewed regarding the residential floor plan, Cotterell exited the garage armed with a rifle. 

Deputies ordered Cotterell to put down the rifle, an order with which he complied. Cotterell complied with some orders and was openly defiant with others. He was detained without further incident.

Amador Sheriff’s Detective’s determined that just prior to the shooting Cotterell had been arguing with his father regarding another relative. Cotterell then entered the garage, wherein he resides, acquired a small caliber rifle and fired multiple times through the wall into his brother’s bedroom. Cotterell did make statements indicating he had fired the rifle. A search of Cotterell revealed additional ammunition for the rifle in his pocket.

Cotterell was subsequently transported to Sutter Amador Hospital for medical clearance prior to booking. While at the hospital, Cotterell was able to twist on the gurney and kick a deputy sheriff on the right side of the face. The deputy was uninjured.

After being medically cleared, Cotterell was booked into the Amador County Jail with bail set at $250,000.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.