From Chelsea Phua:
A 47-year-old Amador County man was apparently shot dead after he reportedly drove a tractor through a locked gate and damaged his neighbor's property, authorities said.
Sheriff officials have identified the victim as John Michael O'Sullivan and arrested O'Sullivan's neighbor, Kenneth John Zimmerman (left photo), 56, of Fiddletown, on suspicion of murder.
According to a news release, Zimmerman and O'Sullivan have had a longstanding dispute. About 7:45 p.m. Sunday, Zimmerman called 911 to report that O'Sullivan had driven a tractor through his gate, struck him in the face with his hand and tried to run him over with the tractor. Authorities said Zimmerman told the emergency dispatcher that sheriff officials "better hurry up" and respond to the scene "before I shoot him."
About 15 minutes later, O'Sullivan's wife called 911 to report that she heard several gunshots and could not find her husband.
When deputies arrived, they found Zimmerman blocking the roadway with a vehicle. Zimmerman reported that O'Sullivan was near the gate he had damaged.
Deputies found O'Sullivan dead on his tractor, which was off the roadway in a brush near Zimmerman's residence. Authorities said preliminary investigation showed O'Sullivan died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Zimmerman's property was searched and the investigation is ongoing, authorities said. Zimmerman is being held without bail at the Amador County Jail.
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