‘Don’t shoot me’: Northern California man killed in Chico home, son arrested

A Northern California man is accused of fatally shooting his father Monday afternoon at a home in Chico, authorities said.

Shortly before 5 p.m., a 911 call came from the 2600 block of West Sacramento Avenue. During the call, the victim — identified as 54-year-old Lenny Doe of Chico — was overheard saying, “Don’t shoot me.”

Deputies arrived and found Doe dead from gunshot wounds. His son, 35-year-old Matthew Theobald, was at the scene and taken into custody.

Officials said Theobald was on active parole and had shotgun shells in his pocket. A later search of the property uncovered a shotgun investigators believe was used in the shooting.

Theobald was booked into jail on suspicion of murder.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Butte County detectives at 530-538-7671.