POTRERO WOMAN KILLED BY CANNON

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By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2012 (Potrero) – Richard Fox has been arrested after a  homemade cannon that he fired killed his girlfriend, Jeanette Ogara, 38, at her Potrero residence.

According to Sgt. David Martinez with the San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide Detail, rural deputies from the Campo/Tecate substation responded to an assault with a deadly weapons report at a residence in the 2400 block of Potrero Valley Road yesterday shortly after midnight. They found the victim fatally wounded from shrapnel fired by the cannon.

Campo Fire Departments and medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene, where the cannon fire had penetrated the wall of the mobile home. The couple’s four-year-old daughter and three adults were inside, but unharmed. After removing the child and witnesses from the scene, deputies conducted a safety sweep of the property and found no other casualties.

Fox was also wounded by shrapnel. He was treated at a local hospital and after being released, was charged with willfully or maliciously exploding or igniting a destructive device or explosive, causing death.

Sheriff’s officials have not released information on why Martinez was building a cannon or whether they believe Ogara was intentionally harmed. However a court had issued a restraining order against him previously on Ogara’s behalf; the order expired in January. He had been convicted of domestic violence and illegal weapons possession in the past.

John Arnold, a family friend, told the UT San Diego that Fox “adores” his family and is likely devastated by the tragedy. He described Fox as a “gun fanatic.”

Martinez has described the cannon as a gun loaded with fireworks explosives. It is unclear why Fox had the weapon, or why it was discharged. ECM news partner 10 News reports Martinez said evidence suggests the suspect had been drinking.

He reportedly phoned his brother and said “I’m sorry, it should have been me,” the UT San Diego reported.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS(8477).
 


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