Man arrested in Columbia on attempted murder, assault charges

COLUMBIA - A confrontation between neighbors ended with a Tuolumne County man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, making terrorist threats, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol Tuesday night, authorities said.

Sheriff’s deputies responded about 9:00 p.m. to the 12000 block of Gunsight Road in Columbia. 911 callers reported that a man had been “beating his wife all day,” then threatened to kill neighbors when they called authorities.

When deputies arrived, they determined that John Schalk, 51, had argued with his wife but had not physically assaulted her, said sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ken Diaz.

A neighbor who heard the couple arguing told the couple to be quiet, or she would call 911, said Diaz.

The neighbor said Schalk threatened to kill her, said Diaz.

The neighbor called 911, then got in her car to go to the store. Schalk, driving a 2000 Chevrolet pick-up, confronted the neighbor in her driveway.

Diaz said Schalk rammed the neighbor’s car twice with his truck. Schalk then left on foot.

Deputies found him a short distance away. Schalk admitted to driving while intoxicated, said Diaz, but denied ramming his neighbor’s car. Schalk was booked into the Tuolumne County Jail.