CA: Rancher Uses Pistol to Stop Attacker in Truck

LIVERMORE — A ranch owner on remote Mines Road shot a pickup truck driver who allegedly went on a destructive spree Sunday night and tried to run him down with the vehicle, authorities said Monday.

The suspect, identified by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office as Scott Hagan, 55, of Pleasanton, is expected to recover from gunshot wounds to his upper torso and hand. He is in a San Jose hospital with a sheriff’s hold on him for assault with a deadly weapon and felony vandalism.

The spree left the rancher’s barn, house and pickup truck damaged and caused a gas leak in a propane tank.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said the shooting “was a clear-cut case of self defense” and that the ranch owner, who is cooperating with investigators, will not be prosecuted.

The bizarre incident was reported around 9:10 p.m. at the remote ranch in the 18000 block of Mines Road, in unincorporated Alameda County far outside Livermore city limits. Kelly said the rancher called  911 and said he had shot someone.

Kelly said the rancher and Hagan had recently met and authorities believe Hagan was possibly going to burglarize the property.

He is accused of driving onto the property and using the truck to smash into a barn, the rancher’s home, a truck and the propane tank.

The resident armed himself with a pistol and told Hagan to stop the truck and get out, Kelly said.

Instead, Hagan began driving toward the rancher, who fired several shots at him.

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