On 07/01/14, Tuesday, at 0226 hours, Deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Pine Hollow Drive, Shingletown, regarding a shots fired call with a female heard screaming. When Deputies arrived in the area of Highway 44 and Black Butte Road, Shingletown, they were flagged down by a female identified as Ida Arnel. Ida reported that Michael Ackley shot an unknown type firearm at her and her adult son, James Arnel when they were in the driveway of Ackley’s residence. Upon the Deputies arrival at Ackley’s residence, Ackley was taken into custody without incident.
Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit were called to assist with the investigation. During interviews with Ida Arnel and Ackley, Detectives learned Ackley and the Arnel’s, had been drinking alcohol (beer), at Ackley’s residence earlier in the night, and there were no problems or altercations between the three parties. The Arnel’s left Ackley’s residence and returned a few minutes later to look for a missing boot that James left behind. While they were looking for James boot in the driveway near their vehicle, Ackley exited his trailer and fired approximately ten rounds from a firearm in the direction of the Arnel’s. At least one round struck James in the torso, subsequently killing him. Ida was not struck with a bullet, but had a laceration on her left arm, possibly from shattered glass.
Ackley later admitted to Detectives that he thought people were at his residence to steal from him when the Arnel’s returned to the residence. Ackley stated he fired an AR-15 type rifle during the shooting. Ackley was subsequently arrested for Murder and booked into the Shasta County Jail.
James Arnel was pronounced deceased at the scene, due to an apparent gunshot wound. Further details of James Arnel’s injuries, pending an autopsy later this week.
– Press Release
