Property dispute results in arrest for alleged attempted murder and criminal threats

On 05-09-2016 at approximately 4:00 PM, Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a disturbance in the 24000 block of Shady Lane in Covelo, California.

It was reported a shotgun had been brandished and a short time later came a report that gunshots had been heard.

Witnesses told Deputies that Anastacio Arturo Payan and his 62 year-old male neighbor had been in an ongoing property line dispute. On this date the neighbor was cutting brush on the disputed portion of land. Payan demanded the neighbor stop cutting the brush but the neighbor refused.

As Payan grew more angry the neighbor retreated to his trailer and armed himself with a shotgun.

Payan wrestled the shotgun from the neighbor's hands as the neighbor fell to the ground. Payan fired three shots into the ground near the neighbor's face and struck the neighbor with the butt of the shotgun.

Witnesses stated Payan threatened to kill the neighbor, aimed the gun at the neighbor's face and pulled the trigger, yet the shotgun did not discharge.

Payan was arrested for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats.

Payan was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $250,000.00 bail.