SAN CLEMENTE : Paraplegic’s Brother Is Held in Shooting

A 40-year-old San Clemente man was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon early Monday following a shooting incident that injured his paraplegic brother, police said Tuesday.

Richard Walters allegedly shot his brother, Michael Walters, 43, who uses a wheelchair, as he lay in bed in his San Clemente apartment. Police said the incident stemmed from a family dispute.

The suspect lives in an apartment above his brother on the 200 block of Avenida Miramar, police said. Richard Walters allegedly went into his older brother’s apartment at 5:45 a.m. and “began beating him while he was asleep,” police said.

When Michael Walters awoke, the men began arguing, police said. The younger brother then picked up a handgun off a shelf in Michael Walters’ apartment and allegedly shot him in the back of both upper thighs, said Police Sgt. Richard E. Downing. Police arrested Richard Walters shortly after 6 a.m.

Michael Walters was in satisfactory condition Tuesday afternoon at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center. He suffered wounds to both upper thighs, said hospital spokesperson Jan Walker.

The gun was registered to Richard Walters’ wife, whom police would not identify. Police said Mrs. Walters lent her brother-in-law the gun for protection.