Deputies Find Parolee's Gun Stash In Home Near Martinez: Sheriff

MARTINEZ - A stash of guns was seized at a home near Martinez where Contra Costa County sheriff's deputies were interrupted while serving a search warrant Tuesday when a shooting occurred nearby, sheriff's officials said.

Randy Pritchett, 26, was arrested on suspicion of various firearm offenses after rifles and shotguns were found at a home in the 1300 block of Shell Avenue in unincorporated Contra Costa County, sheriff's officials said.

Investigators say the weapons were not properly registered and may be stolen.

Deputies with the Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort team were originally preparing to serve a search warrant at the residence just before 6 p.m. Tuesday but were redirected when gunshots were heard near the home.

The deputies found a person with a gunshot wound and another suffering from stab wounds around the corner from the home.

The victims were both taken to a hospital, sheriff's officials said. No arrests were made in the case as of Wednesday.

Investigators are looking into possible connections between that incident and the home that deputies planned to search, sheriff's officials said.

When the deputies were able to resume the serving of their search warrant, three rifles and a shotgun were found and seized, sheriff's officials said.

Pritchett, a parolee, was arrested at the home.

He is being held at Martinez Detention Facility on $50,000 bail.

-Bay City News, image via Contra Costa Sheriff's Department