***HOMICIDE - DRIVE-BY SHOOTING***

UPDATE: REWARD NOW $5000.00

***REWARD***$5,000.00***REWARD***

***REWARD***$1,000.00***

On 10/23/2011 at approximately 4:50 PM, the San Luis Obispo, CA Police Department received a 911 call regarding a male subject that appeared dead at the base of Madonna Mountain (near Lincoln and Mountain View).  Officers responded to the area and were led to the body by the reporting party.  Upon officer’s arrival, fire and medics were requested to respond to the location, at which time the male was pronounced dead.

Further examination of the body revealed several injuries to the face and head.  Due to the suspicious nature of the death and injuries, San Luis Obispo Police Detectives and the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Coroner responded to the location.  Currently the cause of death has not been determined and the investigation is being considered a possible homicide. 

The San Luis Obispo Police Department is asking for the public’s help with any information regarding suspicious activity seen or heard on the trails around Madonna Mountain.  The victim was positively identified as Charles Lavenson, who is a resident of San Luis Obispo.  Mr. Lavenson is known to be an avid walker and is often seen walking around the city and on local trails.  Lavenson was found wearing khaki pants, a button up short sleeve shirt (white with blue stripes) and brown dress shoes with white shoe laces.  Anyone who may have seen or contacted Lavenson on Sunday is asked to contact the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

A plastic hotel/motel room key was found in one of Lavenson’s pockets.  Police investigators are attempting to identify the hotel/motel associated with the key.  Included are pictures of the front and back of the key.

Currently the investigation is ongoing, anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call the San Luis Obispo Police Department at (805)781-7317,   

or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 549 STOP (549-7867).  You can also text your tip to Crime Stoppers by texting "SLOTIPS plus your message" to CRIMES (274637) or submit your tip through this website.

!!!!!UPDATE!!!!!

***$10,000.00 REWARD***

San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers announced an INCREASE in the base reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) in the shooting death of a horse at Varian Arabians in late December. The reward has doubled from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 and is one of the largest rewards in an animal cruelty case ever offered by the Crime Stoppers program. "Crime Stoppers allows anyone the ability to text, email or call in tips about crimes and become eligible to receive reward money." said county crime stoppers coordinator Cmdr. Ron Hastie. "You can text SLOTIPS with your message to CRIMES (274637), or submit your tip from the web site at www.slotips.org or call 805-549-STOP to provide information. All tips remain confidential." Hastie said. The year end shooting killed one mare and wounded the second. Both were in a pasture adjacent to the roadway that passes the stables when they were shot. No suspects have been identified in the incident.

CLICK HERE TO SEE UPDATED REWARD FLYER

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF VICTIM HORSES

PREVIOUSLY POSTED INFORMATION

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff`s Rural Crime Unit are investigating the shooting death of one horse and the wounding of another at the Varian Arabians horse complex in rural Arroyo Grande. Staff heard multiple gun shots from the nearby roadway at approximately 8:30 PM Wednesday night. While checking the pasture bordering Corbett Canyon Road shortly after 7:00 AM Thursday, staff discovered one severely wounded animal and a bullet wound in a second. The first animal was euthanized by a veterinarian called to the scene, the second is being treated at the facility and is listed in serious condition. Sheriff`s rural crime unit deputies processed the scene and are asking for the publics help in identifying anyone seen near the facility at the time of the shooting. If you have any information you are asked to call the Sheriff`s Department at 781-4550 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 549 STOP (549-7867).  You can also text your tip to Crime Stoppers by texting "SLOTIPS plus your message" to CRIMES (274637) or submit your tip through this website.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE REWARD FUND