SHOTGUN INCIDENTS APPEAR TO TARGET BUTTE MEDICAL POT INDUSTRY

CHICO -- Shotgun vandalism at a pot dispensary north of Chico early
Monday morning, and the Nov. 27 shotgun wounding of an employee from
another local dispensary, may be connected, according to some in the
medical marijuana industry.

The operator of Cascade Wellness Center, on Highway 99 near
Centerfolds gentlemen's club, was called to the business just after 2
a.m. Monday when alarms went off.

The Butte County Sheriff's Office was also dispatched and arrived to
find the business heavily damaged by gunfire. Sgt. Derek Bell said a
shotgun and a rifle were used by unknown shooters who were likely
standing in the parking lot.

Zach Hellminiak, a co-owner, said three large plate glass windows
were shattered, the sign for the business was shot up, and the front
door was riddled with holes.

At least two rounds from a rifle were shot into a chair near a
computer that is usually occupied by an employee when the business is open.

Hellminiak said the damage prevented him from opening Monday.

Officials said it doesn't appear that the business was entered, and
robbery is not considered a motive.

Two days after Thanksgiving, Chico resident David Darsey, 26, was
coming home from his job at North Valley Holistic Health, a marijuana
dispensary off Nord Avenue north of Chico, when he was hit by a
shotgun blast in the back.

Darsey suffered serious injuries and was rushed into surgery at Enloe
Medical Center. He is reportedly recovering.

"We're just trying to do the right thing; we didn't see this coming
at all," said Darsey's friend and co-worker Harold Young after
learning about the vandalism at Cascade.

Robert Galia, the operator of North Valley Holistic Health, said he
received a death threat over the phone after Darsey was shot, but he
doesn't believe the person who placed it has a legitimate complaint
against the business.

If the shooting of Darsey and the shotgun vandalism Monday morning
are connected, Galia said the real motive is scaring the cooperatives
into shutting down.

"Whatever is behind this, I hope it ends here," Young said.

Galia said he wants the violence to end, but, just in case, he hired
a security guard Monday to watch the business.