The gunshot victim in last week’s Cartago shooting may now face assault with a deadly weapon charges. Sheriff’s investigators believe the shooting was justified as self-defense.

In a press release, Sheriff’s Detective Jeff Hollowell repeated that the original call came in shortly after 8am last Tuesday. The victim of the shooting, 38-year-old Kevin Ruskauff of Auburn, was transported to Southern Inyo Hospital and later flown out to Loma Linda Medical Center for treatment of three gunshot wounds.

Officers said the man thrown off the roof suffered a broken rib and abrasions. The man armed himself with a .38 caliber revolver and fired 4 shots at Ruskauff who officers said was coming after him with the utility knife.

Hollowell said investigators have completed their reports and forwarded them to the District Attorney. Investigators have requested that charges be filed against Ruskauff for assault with a deadly weapon. Officers say they believe the shooting of Ruskauff was “justified as self-defense.” The District Attorney will review the case and make a final determination on charges.