Aptos shooting suspect denied bail
Aptos shooting suspect Ralph Millar was in a Santa Cruz County courtroom this morning, where a judge denied him bail.
The 57-year-old is accused of breaking into his neighbor’s home last Wednesday, and shooting at her and another woman before barricading himself for more than 15 hours.
Today the District Attorney’s Office described the incident as something out of a horror movie, saying both victims are lucky to be alive. “What he did is literally shoot through every defense they had in their house trying to get in and aiming at them,” says D.A. Assistant Kristina Oven.
According to the D.A.’s office Millar first attempted to break into the home unsuccessfully and the victim’s ran to hide in a bathroom.
Millar then returned to the victim’s home with a gun. He fired 10 to 12 rounds into the bathroom where the two were hiding, hitting one of them.
“They were barricaded in the bathroom, locked. (Victim 1) who owns the home suggested to her friend (Victim 2) that (Victim 2) hide in the bathtub, and I think that is what prevented (Victim 2) from getting direct shots. (Victim 1) was not in the bathtub and did sustain gunshots,” says Oven.
After the shooting Millar went back to his home where he barricaded himself for more than 15 hours.
According to court records, he is facing several felonies, including two counts of attempted murder, shooting into an inhabited dwelling and felony burglary. There are also enhancements because a gun was used.
The District Attorney’s Office says they are still investigating the motive, but do know there was a prior dispute, “He had reportedly previously entered her home against her will a couple months prior, there is some dispute between them. But on this particular day she was actually reporting to a deputy outside her home, her difficulties with him. We believe he saw that, got angry and took action.”
Investigators say they found 15 guns and close to 7,000 rounds of ammunition in Millar’s home, he could face charges for those too.
The victim’s were in court today, Oven says they are still processing this brutal attack, “It’s going to take months and years to figure out what happened and why. I think they’re still very much recovering physically and emotionally and they just wanted to see Mr. Millar in custody this morning.”
Millar did not enter a plea in court today, his arraignment was continued to September 10.
If he is found guilty he could face life in prison.
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Aptos shooting suspect Ralph Millar was in a Santa Cruz County courtroom this morning, where a judge denied him bail.
The 57-year-old is accused of breaking into his neighbor’s home last Wednesday, and shooting at her and another woman before barricading himself for more than 15 hours.
He eventually surrendered. The victims’ injuries are no longer considered life threatening.
According to court records, he is facing several felonies, including two counts of attempted murder, shooting into an inhabited dwelling and felony burglary. There are also enhancements because a gun was used.
Millar did not enter a plea in court today, his arraignment was continued to September 10.
KION’s Ashley Keehn will have the details tonight at 5 and 6.
