On June 3, 2023, deputies from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shooting at a residence on the 200 block of Elm Street in Westwood, California. Dispatch advised a male had been shot in the alley behind the residence and that a female suspect remained at the scene. Responding officers detained 41-year-old Westwood resident Melanie Ann Hines and identified the victim as 25-year-old Westwood resident Austin Andrew Howell.

Howell had sustained a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Despite about 30 minutes of life-saving efforts by CalFire, Westwood Fire, and Peninsula Fire personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Hines was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and taken to the Lassen County Jail with bail set at $1 million. Detectives opened a homicide investigation and said domestic violence was being considered as a possible factor. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 257-6121.

Did anyone in Westwood see or hear anything in the Elm Street area around midday on June 3 that could help investigators?