Politics

Deputies Kill Northern California Illegal Marijuana Grower

Published on August 24, 2017 · Last updated July 28, 2020
Winding Road and Vineyard (Santa Barbara county, California).

DURHAM, Calif. (AP) — Northern California authorities have shot and killed an illegal marijuana grower they say confronted sheriff’s deputies with a gun.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office says 56-year-old Mark Jensen died Tuesday night in the community of Durham.

Authorities say code enforcement officers approached Jensen at his home on Monday and told him he was violating the county’s marijuana cultivation law. The enraged grower began making threatening calls to police and code-enforcement officers, who got a warrant to arrest him.

Hearing that he had guns, a SWAT team and crisis negotiators went to his home, where at some point Jensen threatened to shoot a motorist then holed up inside.

When he finally came outside, authorities say he had a loaded handgun that he pointed at deputies.

He was killed with a single shot.

Shop highly rated stores near you

Showing you stores near
See all stores
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
The AP is one of the world's largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering.
View The Associated Press's articles
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.