September 15, 2022 – The Mammoth Lakes Police Department appreciates the public’s patience in releasing information regarding the suspicious death of a black bear within Town limits. It is important for the public to remember that suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty and that this continues to be an active investigation.
On Thursday, September 8, 2022, Officers were dispatched to Sierra Park Road for reports of a deceased bear. Initial investigation indicated that the bear had injuries consistent with a bullet wound. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife arrived on scene to assist with the investigation. The deceased bear was found to be a 5 to 6-year-old female, approx. 160 pounds, who had not given birth to cubs this year. The cause of death, while still under investigation, appears to be a single gunshot wound.
On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, Elohim Kai Tracy, a 46-year-old male from Mammoth Lakes, was arrested in connection with this incident. On Thursday, September 15, 2022, Mr. Tracy was arraigned at the Mono County Courthouse and has been charged with four felonies: PC 246.3(a) Negligent Discharge of a Firearm, PC 597(a) Animal Cruelty, PC 25850(c)(6) Carry Loaded Firearm in a Public Place, PC 29800(a)(1) Possession of Firearm by Narcotic Addict. The defendant pled not guilty to all counts. Mr. Tracy is currently being held by the Mono County Jail with bail set at $100,000.
The Mammoth Lakes Police Department would like to thank the Community, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Mono County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this case.
What really blows my mind about this is his lack of having to pay bail to be released; truly amazing how lucky he is. Anywhere else USA he would’ve had to pay for his freedom until proven innocent. Reckon that’s the joys of a small town though, however his release… Read more »
.Simply not true. Judges can release defendants on Own Recognizance. California allows OR for some felonies. California Supreme Court ruled last year that cash bail only can be a violation of fourteenth amendment rights in some cases. Other states have restrictions on, and exemptions to cash bail only. Making cash… Read more »
Pedro And just ANOTHER reason to where the rich and the people with the bigger bucks and expensive properties rule the roost…the American way… Some people that don’t have a lot of the above, with minor charges ,rot away in jail awaiting trial,unable to afford bail. Others,with serious charges,but a… Read more »
It’s possible for both man and beast to live in peace coexisting. It’s impossible for that to be possible though if the man is both man and beast. Great big ? to whoever is guilty of cowardly killing that bear. PO? whoever gets to wear the title. Thank you Mammoth… Read more »
Man is the beast
That’s my point
Man I cannot wait for the Olancha bi-Pass tp be Done.
I’ve never heard of this law, I wonder if they have one that covers alcoholics too? “ PC 29800(a)(1) Possession of Firearm by Narcotic Addict “
Included in Possession of Firearm by Felon law.
https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-29800.html
Definition of Narcotic Drug does not include alcohol.
https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/health-and-safety-code/hsc-sect-11019/
Legal definition of Addict probably comes down to case law. Charge was probably added for plea bargaining and would be first to drop.
Good job Pedro! Thank you
Gonna be interesting to see how MLPD found out who did this,maybe internet posting with selfies showing his “hunting prowess “…or just maybe his big mouth. Now comes he’ll say he had to “defend himself ” from an aggressive Bear. Hopefully,at least one of those four felonies stick,making it illegal… Read more »
Wait!!! What??? You are not blaming a SoCal person for this???? You are losing your edge….
Mono Person THAT was the first thing I thought it was going to say and be….a tourist doing the shooting. But what I’m reading in the comments here,the TOML is more or less just a whole lota bunch of relocated SoCal tourists anyway,hoping to make some quick bucks living up… Read more »
?? it’s only funny because it’s true
This person is a piece of garbage…
If the over development & greed wasn’t as disgusting as it is…now we have gun toting relocates…
Welcome to the new Mammoth Lakes…
It’s the new normal. TOML is nothing more than a suburb of Los Angeles.
What’s really interesting is Sierra waves reporting. There was a murder last week near Crestview rest area and not one bit of info from the local news sources in the area. Then, a bear , that is legal Big Game in most areas of not just Inyo and Mono counties,… Read more »
BobK So you’re more or less defending this guy,an alleged drug addict walking through town possessing a loaded illegal firearm (for him ) ,coming up on a Bear,shooting and killing it,taking off and leaving it there for others to find and clean-up the mess he left,all O.K. to do,since there… Read more »
I don’t think that I said anything like that. Just, how come no report on a killing of man on man but man on bear takes center stage. What a strange world it has become.
BobK Think maybe that’s because,if the TOML Law Enforcement agencies are anything like the ones we have in the OV,very little information,if any,is put out there to the public,and probably the Sierra Wave too about certain crimes,usually the bigger more newsworthy ones. In our County,recent fatal vehicle accidents,suicides,break-ins and a… Read more »
I agree. And the $100k bail supports your comment. And I don’t defend the idiot bear killer for a second. Total idiot!
All life lost is tragic BobK
My friend shot a bear on his front porch within city limits of Ketchikan, Alaska. KPD arrested him. He was found not guilty after his court hearing he walked across the street and immediately retrieved his rifle from Ktown PD. It’s all how about how the confrontation with the four… Read more »
Logger Dan And also,Grizzly Bears and also Black Bears in Alaska,a whole lotta different than California Black Bears. Less interaction with people,bigger,stronger and more dangerous….Black Bears have killed people in Alaska…,a Black Bear has never,ever killed a person in California….ever… And if it was a Black Bear your friend shot,he… Read more »
A good friend of mine has a saying…Mammoth is LA with trees . I don’t agree , but it is getting a little TOO big for it’s britches .
Do the math. Mammoth attracts a lot of people. The masses area asses.
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