Witness: Shells Link Deputy to Murrieta Bar Killing

Bullet shells link a former sheriff's deputy to the killing of a French Valley man, a witness testified today.

Dayle William Long, 42, was arrested on suspicion of killing 36-year-old Sam Vanettes Dec. 21, 2011 at in Murrieta. He appeared at the in French Valley for his preliminary hearing today.

To read the original report on the shooting,

After the shooting was reported, sheriff's and police officers stormed the bar with rifles drawn. After securing the building, they found five shells strewn on the floor, said Murrieta Police Officer Steve Whiddon during the hearing today.

The shells appeared to be from a .45 mm semiautomatic handgun. Such a gun was found on Long after the shooting, Whiddon said.

The shells were near the victim, who lay on the floor with two bullet injuries. "I found a person lying on the floor with a pool of blood around his head," and with a "bullet hole in his face," Whiddon testified.

The victim's shirt was also soaked in blood, as though he was shot in the chest, the officer said.

To read more about the victim, Sam Vanettes, a Temecula Valley High school grad,

When Whiddon got to the bar, a man ran out screaming. "A male came running out of the bar screaming and yelling," he said. A witness pointed to Long and shouted, "That guy killed my friend."

Officers took witnesses to a nearby Starbucks coffee house and interviewed them. Police also got surveillance video from the owner of the bar.

Editor's note: Check back later today for updates on today's hearing.