Steve Michael Baumgartner, 53, is scheduled to be arraigned on murder charges at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2. He is accused of the June 30 shooting death lof Michael Paul Clark, 38. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
Crestline, CA – Crestline murder suspect — Steve Michael Baumgartner — is scheduled to make his first court appearance at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2. He is charged with the murder of 38-year-old Michael Paul Clark.
Steve Michael Baumgartner (Facebook Photo)
The suspect in the June 30 murder in the 23000 block of Wildwood Lane is being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
THE CASE
Baumgartner, 53, a former Riverside County Deputy Sheriff (1990-1998) , reportedly shot Clark in the face with a .357 Magnum after the two men got in an argument outside Clark’s home.
The shooting — which was reported by numerous 9-1-1 calls — occurred about 5:14 p.m., June 30. Clark was transported to St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino where he was pronounced dead at 6:09 p.m.
Booking documents indicate Baumgartner was detained by deputies at 5:22 p.m. He was formally arrested after he was questioned by homicide detectives who arrived at 7:35 p.m.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Twin Peaks Captain Rick Ells told ROTWNEWS that at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 27, a domestic disturbance call was received by deputies who responded to the 23000 block of Wildwood Way and took a report of a dispute between Baumgartner and Clark.
A post on Baumgartner’s Facebook page indicated that in July 2014 he had planned a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland.
THE INVESTIGATION
Individuals with information related to the investigation are urged to contact Homicide Sergeant Chris Fisher at (909) 387-3589.
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