Domestic Argument Preceded Last Night’s Murder/Suicide South of Ukiah, Says MCSO

The following is a press release issue by Mendocino County Sheriff’s Officer:

On 05-20-2022 at approximately 9:26 P.M., the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call regarding a possible murder/suicide involving a firearm at a residence in the 4900 block of Burke Hill Road in Ukiah, California.

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies along with officers from the California Highway Patrol responded to the residence while requesting emergency medical responders to stage nearby to be ready to provide emergency medical care if needed. 

Upon arrival, Deputies contacted the reporting person who was the son of the victim (Suzanne Stark) and the suspect (Shawn Stark).  The son was present at the residence at the time of the incident but did not directly eyewitness the shooting.

Deputies entered the residence and located two deceased persons within the residence. The scene was determined to be secure and both individuals were obviously deceased.

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Detectives were summoned to the scene and assumed the investigation. 

- Advertisement -

Initial scene investigations showed evidence of a murder/suicide wherein Shawn Stark killed Suzanne Stark with use of a shotgun before committing suicide with the same firearm.

Sheriff’s Detectives learned the couple was engaged in a domestic related argument prior to the shooting.

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office automated records (dating back to 2011) showed no known or documented incidents of domestic violence between the married couple.

The investigation is ongoing and forensic autopsies are scheduled for 05-25-2021, which is believed to include BA/Toxicology analysis.

Any persons with information about this incident are encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office by calling 707-463-4086 (Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center) or 707-234-2100 (Sheriff’s Office Tip-Line). 

Editor’s Note

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetimes.

The following are domestic violence resources available in Mendocino County and surrounding areas:

• Mendocino County
  • Contact a crisis counselor at Project Sanctuary by calling (707)463-4357.
• Humboldt County
  • Call Humboldt Domestic Violence Services at (707)443-6042 or at 1-866-668-6543
• Trinity County 
  • Contact the Human Response Network at (530)623-2024
• Lake County 
  • Contact the Lake Family Resource Center community crisis line at 1(888)485-7733.
• Sonoma County
  • Contact the YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline at (707)546-1234

Previous Coverage

- Advertisement -