THE Butte County Sheriff’s Office asked the public Monday to help find a homicide suspect who allegedly shot a man Saturday night in Oroville, drove away and has not been seen since.
Detectives believe Joseph Perkins, 54, of Oroville, fatally shot the victim, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities released a photo of Perkins.
Detectives worked with the Butte County Prosecutor’s Office and obtained an arrest warrant for Perkins for homicide, as well as a charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Shortly before 10:30 p.m. Saturday, a resident called the sheriff’s office to report that a victim had been shot in the 500 block of Lodgeview Drive in a residential area of Oroville, just south of the Oroville Recreation Area. Lake Oroville State.
Police arrived on scene and found the injured man on the road. Sheriff’s officials said deputies and medics provided medical aid, but the victim died from his injuries. The sheriff’s office has not released the victim’s name.
Detectives found evidence that led them to believe Perkins shot the victim, sheriff’s officials said. But the sheriff’s office did not reveal what evidence was found.
Detectives also found evidence that Perkins had left the area in a vehicle after the shooting, sheriff’s officials said. Authorities later found this vehicle in the Kelly Ridge area.
Investigators asked anyone with information on Perkins’ whereabouts to call the sheriff’s office at 530-538-7322.
