Jurors Convict Man Accused of Shooting at Neighbor’s Dog

Jurors today convicted a Baldwin Park man accused of shooting at his neighbor’s barking dog in the presence of its owner, a 7-year-old girl.

Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Wynn of the West Covina Branch Office said Carleton Raye States, 31, was convicted of one count each of child abuse, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and having a concealed firearm.

Jurors, who deliberated just over a day, also found true an allegation that the defendant personally used a firearm.

Jurors could not reach a verdict on three counts – one count each of criminal threats; first-degree burglary, person present; and child abuse. West Covina Superior Court Judge Douglas Sortino declared a mistrial as to those counts. 

Judge Sortino ordered States to return for sentencing on Oct. 25 in Department 5 of West Covina Superior Court. States faces a maximum state prison term of 17 years, four months.

The charges stem from an incident on May 25 during which the child victim was playing outside of her home with her dog “Smalls,” a female Terrier mix. 

The dog began to bark in response to taunts from the defendant at which point States drew a handgun, prompting the girl to run inside her home. States went on to fire a round at the dog, causing the animal to run inside. 

Authorities said States then followed the child and her pet inside the home, pointed a gun at the girl – who was holding the dog in her lap – and threatened to shoot the animal.

Officers of the Baldwin Park Police Department investigated the case.