‘Earthquake’ Author ‘Fair’ After Shooting : Police Not Recommending Charges, Saying His Woman Companion Acted in Self-Defense

Thomas A. Heppenheimer, a nationally prominent science writer from Fountain Valley who was shot three times by his longtime woman companion, was recovering in “fair condition” at UCI Medical Center on Friday, hospital officials reported.

Meanwhile, Fountain Valley police said Friday they are not recommending any charges because they believe the woman acted in self-defense after Heppenheimer threatened her Thursday afternoon. The woman, Angela Lee Johnson, 30, was not hurt, police said.

Heppenheimer, 42, suffered two bullet wounds to the head and one to the left shoulder, according to the hospital.

He is the author of several science-related nonfiction books, including “Earthquake,” and also writes frequently for major science magazines and science sections of prominent newspapers. According to Robert Finn, a spokesman for the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Heppenheimer “is the most prolific (science-writing) free-lancer I know, and I know them all because that’s my job.”

Finn said Heppenheimer writes under the byline of T .A. Heppenheimer “and is known all over the United States.” Heppenheimer had worked at Caltech for about two years in the mid-1970s as a post-doctoral research fellow, Finn said.

Fountain Valley Police Detective Steve Williams said the shooting occurred at Heppenheimer’s home, 11040 Blue Allium, about 2 p.m. Thursday.

“The incident stemmed from a domestic dispute,” Williams said. He said Johnson has lived with Heppenheimer for the past 10 years. She fled from him during a dispute in the house Thursday afternoon and locked herself in a bedroom, Williams said.

“He (Heppenheimer) forced the door open, and she said she shot him because he was carrying a club of some sort,” Williams said. The officer said police are not sure how many shots Johnson fired with the .25-caliber pistol.

Williams said Heppenheimer was conscious when police arrived. Johnson had fled to another room in the house and locked it, telling officers she was fearful she would still be hurt by Heppenheimer, Williams said.

“We are turning over our information to the district attorney’s office, but we’re not recommending charges against either person,” Williams said.