New Details Emerge In Fatal Shooting Involving Neighbors In Simi Valley
SIMI VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — New details emerged Friday in what may have led to a deadly confrontation between neighbors -- both fathers of young children -- in Simi Valley.
The two neighbors on the 2900 block of Deacon Street reportedly had feuded for some time and had several lingering disputes, residents said.
KCAL9's Erica Nochlin spoke to residents about the two men involved.
She also learned a 911 call was made just before Cary Swaine allegedly shot and killed his neighbor.
Police were already on their way to the scene after a disturbance call. A friend of Swaine's family told Nochlin it was Swaine's wife who called authorities.
RELATED STORY: Residents Say Man Shot To Death Over Longstanding Neighbor Feud
"Cary called his wife on the phone and said 'I'm scared, Jon is threatening my life, please call 911,' " says Shanna Foster, a neighbor.
Foster says the suspect lives in the condo above the victim -- now identified as Jonathan Dean Ward -- and that the two men have had problems with each other for years.
She also told Nochlin she strongly believes Shaine was acting in self-defense.
"I do think people have a right to protect themselves. If you're backed into a corner and your life is being threated and that of your family, what do you do?," Foster said.
"She was screaming, 'Hey, he's dead! He's dead!' " said neighbor Craig Owens.
He said he heard the victim's wife screaming. Ward died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Ward's family didn't want to talk on camera, but they called what happened a murder and horrible tragedy.
"We're all in shock. None of us expected ... we all knew of some form of trouble going on with neighbors, but never thought it would go to this degree," says neighbor Michael Brady.
"Everyone loses in this in this kind of situation," Foster said.
A source told Nochlin it was possibly that this incident was a case of self-defense, but for now Swaine remains jailed on suspicion of murder.
He is scheduled to be in court Monday.
