Suspect Allegedly Shot Ex-Partner by the Side of Hwy 1 and May Have Shot at Victim’s Current Partner

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Andrew CrowningshieldOn 02/04/2018 around 9:10 AM the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting in the 6000 block of North Highway 1 in Little River, CA.  The reporting party, Victim Daniel Alonso reported that he and his friend, Victim Autumn Smith (AKA Johnson), were traveling southbound on North Highway 1 from Fort Bragg.  As they passed the area of Caspar they observed Suspect Andrew Crowningshield in his vehicle.  According to Alonso, Crowningshield followed their vehicle as they drove south.  Crowningshield and Smith had a previous relationship together and they share a child in common, a three year old boy.  Their relationship had ended over a year prior to this incident and they shared custody of the child.

In the 6000 Block of North Highway 1 Smith pulled to the side of the road to talk to Crowningshield about their child and when she could pick up the child.   She approached Crowningshield’s vehicle and for reasons unknown at this time, Crowningshield fired numerous rounds at Smith, who fell to the ground.  According to Alonso, he believed Crowningshield also fired numerous rounds at him while he was seated in the other vehicle.  Alonso used Smith’s vehicle to drive to a nearby business to report the shooting to the Sheriff’s Office.  Crowningshield fled the area in a large 4 wheel drive Ford pickup.

Initially MCSO Deputies were concerned the 3 year old boy might have been taken by Crowningshield but it was later learned to not be the case.  Deputies later found the child safe, with relatives, and learned he was not at the scene nor was he involved in the incident in any way.

Responding Deputies and members of the Albion Litter River Fire Department arrived on scene and found Smith deceased at the scene.  MCSO Detectives were called to conduct the investigation while Deputies, Officers from the California Highway Patrol (patrol and helicopter), Officers from the Ukiah Police Department, and Officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife combed the area looking for the suspect.  Several reports came in the suspect may have been seen on the Comptche-Ukiah Road but Deputies were unable to locate him.  Additional reports came in the suspect vehicle might have been seen on the Eel River Road leading to Lake Pillsbury.  A be on the lookout (BOLO) was issued to all allied agencies to stop and arrest the suspect.

On 2/5/2018 just before 7:00 AM the suspect vehicle was spotted in Glenn County in the Town of Elk Creek.  Responding Glenn County Deputies observed Crowningshield near the vehicle and placed him into custody without incident.  Crowningshield will be transported and booked into the Mendocino County Jail on an open charge of homicide and an open charge of attempted homicide.  This is a no bail status.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all allied agencies who assisted and all citizens who called in information about possible sightings.

Approved by: Lieutenant Shannon Barney

Earlier Chapter: Woman Shot and Killed; Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department Uses Social Media to Try and Catch Suspect

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RIP
Guest
RIP
6 years ago

When will they take domestic violence seriously??? How many more women have to die?
The one thing each of the men who did mass shootings in the last year have in common is history of domestic abuse. There have been so many other shootings involving a jealous man who kills his ex and her family. In my mind these are the true terrorists.

Blessings and love to the family and the boy who now has lost both of his parents.

William Farel
Guest
William Farel
6 years ago
Reply to  RIP

Exactly. In the OJ Simpson case the FBI reported that 80% of all homicides are related to adulterous and fornication related violence. Regulating the marriage relation and punishing sexually immorality would go the farthest in reducing the murder rate.

But instead the State government, led by Jerry Brown has chosen to go the opposite way and legalize sodomy, fornication, and adultery.

Lone ranger
Guest
Lone ranger
6 years ago
Reply to  William Farel

Her relationship had been terminated a year ago, apparently she was in a new relationship, control freaks and jealous people should refrain from relationships, problem solved

Willy
Guest
Willy
6 years ago
Reply to  Lone ranger

Fractured families are a cognizant risk. So sorry for the child and families

Pat
Guest
Pat
6 years ago
Reply to  Lone ranger

Lone Ranger- Seriously you said ” control freaks and jealous people should refrain from relationships ” If these people had the will power to do as you ask, there would be no problem. My friend the problem is they have no will power. Do you see the ridiculous solution you put forth. Why not Nancy Reagan`s ” just say no”
obviously your typing fingers were two steps ahead of your brain.

Veteran's Friend
Guest
Veteran's Friend
6 years ago
Reply to  William Farel

See a doctor. The illness is affecting your brain.

Jaekelopterus
Guest
Jaekelopterus
6 years ago
Reply to  William Farel

Ladies and gentlemen, the American Taliban! Sharia Law, anyone?

M
Guest
M
6 years ago
Reply to  William Farel

You are so full of it! The FBI didn’t report any such thing! You completely made that up! If you want to talk about the OJ case you should know what your talking about before opening your mouth. It sounds like you want to blame women for their own murder. Sick! The FBI reported that 80% of female homicides are committed by the men they dated or married. There is nothing about adultry! You are clueless to think that sex not in the confines of marriage (boyfriend/girlfriend) is the cause of murderous violence. Your conclusion; a piece of paper “marriage certificate” prevents women from being murdered by the men they love. That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard all day; even from Trump!

Rusty
Guest
Rusty
6 years ago
Reply to  RIP

RIP:

They will take it seriously when WE the people of California take punishment for crime seriously. No consequence , no deterrent. Liberal Progressive idiots would rather look benevolent to the entire world for having empty jails then protect our very own citizens. Scum that should be in prison for life are walking our streets right now thanks to California’s war on punishment. Thanks again Jerry, Nancy, Adam, ect ect.

unbridled phillistine
Guest
unbridled phillistine
6 years ago

What a selfish piece of crap! A three year old just lost both parents! Terrible….

Anon
Guest
Anon
6 years ago

I think I saw the truck headed back from shelter cove today around 10:30pm but there’s a lot of trucks that look like his out in the cove so I’m not sure if it was the right truck, also I didn’t get a very good look at the driver. So sad.
Poor kid. Hope they catch the ass.

Mendocino Mamma
Guest
Mendocino Mamma
6 years ago

The Charming Jerry Springer Maury Povich attitude. Bash them in the head till they concede, seems like a Common Thread in society these days. Being a victim of domestic violence myself from a creep I dated less than a month ladies Beware of the heavy-handed man… don’t go there, don’t do this, don’t dress like that, what did you say, you’re MY woman. You hear any of that s*** run fast as you can and do not look back.

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
6 years ago

>”When will they take domestic violence seriously???”

Who said anything about ‘domestic violence’ ?
Was Crowningshield accused of it in his prior relationship?

I would have doubted that he had got partial custody of a child in that case.

Dunno. Fill us in if you know something.

Veteran's Friend
Guest
Veteran's Friend
6 years ago
Reply to  Bozo

He just killed a woman. What part of domestic violence are you unclear on?

Lone ranger
Guest
Lone ranger
6 years ago
Reply to  Bozo

When you shoot an unarmed person to death, you are a violent person, and since they have a child together that is where the domestic comes in, so now all together now, domestic violence, whether he just decided today to inflict harm on her or has been all long, who knows , but he is definitely a murderer

Esme
Guest
Esme
6 years ago
Reply to  Bozo

You don’t have to Google much to find many stories of mothers that were not able to keep violent exes from sharing custody. In some states, if you carry a pregnancy from a rape, you may find yourself expected to share custody when they get out of prison.

Freedom Club
Guest
Freedom Club
6 years ago
Reply to  Bozo

I am with you bozo, I didn’t read anything about domestic violence in the release. Seems to be an assumption or they know something beyond the info provided here. A person can just snap and it doesn’t mean he has done these things in the past or even given any of the warning signs being thrown about here.

Mogtx
Guest
6 years ago

What goes through people’s mind boggles my mind

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
6 years ago

>”… but he is definitely a murderer”

If he pulled the trigger… absolutely murder.
Past history, we don’t know. Unless you or someone else can provide background.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Bozo

Get ’em, Bozo!

Lone ranger
Guest
Lone ranger
6 years ago

Just another angry ex that says their kid means everything to them , but their actions puts the kid last , sorry excuse for a dad, control your emotions, let’s her go, and put your kids first

Freedom Club
Guest
Freedom Club
6 years ago
Reply to  Lone ranger

I wish more people could just control their emotions, but I have found that the vast majority let their emotions dictate them rather than they dictating their emotions. I don’t think it is quite as easy as just telling yourself to do it. Now he is potentially facing grave consequences for that lack of control.

Lone ranger
Guest
Lone ranger
6 years ago
Reply to  Freedom Club

It should be easy if you truly love your kids, if one can’t control ones emotions for kids sake, then maybe a life of celibacy is a good option

Norcalwarmth
Guest
Norcalwarmth
6 years ago

Any violent act committed on an ex cohabitant or previous partner, is considered domestic violence according to CA law. Recent changes in law make domestic violence a felony. Most DA won’t pick up charges. We do need a system overhaul. Imagine if every person present during a domestic 415 or 415v had mandatory anger management and/or counseling. At least people could no longer have ignorance as an excuse for a lifestyle of continued abuse.

Nothing New
Guest
Nothing New
6 years ago

Nothing New and Nothing will change, systematic domestic violence has its European Roots millenia ago… the Sheriff and DA are too worried about pot and stealing money from Cannabis Farmers to do anything about domestic violence or child abuse or homicides or missing persons cases….. we need a new system of protection for citizens in Nor Cal, Sheriff Departments have became pot eradicators who do nothing to solve real crimes where there are real victims

Glaucia
Guest
Glaucia
6 years ago

During meal service, the Deputies discovered that an inmate was not responsive.  Deputies called for emergency medical assistance.

Darin Q
Guest
Darin Q
5 years ago

Sad all around, For Autumn, her son and for him. He will have 50 years to think about it. He just should of kept driving North and bit his tongue like the rest of us do when we are hurting inside. His ego wipped his ass, killed the mother of his son and left him with nothing but a sad story and a life of pain.