Lake Elsinore Man Accused of Blasting Associate with Shotgun to Stand Trial

A man accused of blasting his neighbor with a shotgun during an argument outside the shooter's Lake Elsinore home must stand trial for attempted murder, a judge ruled Thursday.

Kevin Ronald Fulkerson, 51, was arrested April 9 after the attack at a duplex in the 18100 block of Grand Avenue.

Following a preliminary hearing at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Davis found there was sufficient evidence to bind Fulkerson over for trial on the attempted murder count, as well as assault with a deadly weapon and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

Fulkerson remains held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center.

According to sheriff's officials, early on the afternoon of April 9, the defendant and his neighbor, described only as a man in his 50s, got into a heated exchange over the return of items belonging to the victim.

Fulkerson's girlfriend, whose identity was not released, apparently inserted herself into the argument, angering the victim, who began walking toward the woman, prompting Fulkerson to grab his 12-gauge shotgun and fire at his neighbor, who collapsed after being wounded, according to prosecutors.

The defendant struck the victim on the head with the butt-end of the rifle as the seriously wounded man lay helpless on the ground, prosecutors allege.

Neighbors called 911, and deputies arrived moments later, arresting Fulkerson without incident.

The victim was airlifted to a hospital and underwent surgery. He has since recovered.

Court records indicate Fulkerson has a prior felony conviction, but the nature of the conviction was unclear.

Davis scheduled a post-preliminary hearing in the case for May 8.

– City News Service.