Calaveras Sheriff’s Office looking for reported shooting victim

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office is trying to find a West Point man believed to have been shot in the leg Sunday afternoon.

A caller reported someone had been shot and there were yells for help in the area of Main Street and Matson Lane. The shooter reportedly fled in a white Chevrolet pickup.

Deputies who arrived at the scene about 5 p.m. were unable to locate the victim. A witness identified the victim as Richard Harding, 37, of West Point.

A truck matching the description was stopped while leaving the area. The lone occupant was identified as John Westfall, 44, of West Point. He was arrested on suspicion of the shooting.

Detectives served a search warrant on Westfall’s residence and found contraband, the Sheriff’s Office reported. As a result, he booked on charges including assault with a firearm, child abuse, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $1.15 million.

A deputy contacted Jami Vierra, 40, of West Point, who claimed to be Harding’s girlfriend. Vierra and attempted to confront another witness at the shooting scene, the Sheriff’s Office said. Vierra slapped and repeatedly kicked the deputy when he intervened, causing minor injuries. She was arrested and faces charge of obstructing or resisting a peace officer and battery on a peace officer. Bail was set at $5,000.

The Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help to fine Harding. Anyone with information regarding th shooting or Harding’s whereabouts is asked to the office’s anonymous tip line at 209-754-6030.

This story was originally published November 14, 2016 at 2:03 PM with the headline "Calaveras Sheriff’s Office looking for reported shooting victim."