‘Silly’ Spat Escalates, Ends in Shooting Death of Man

It was an offense that, at most, warranted a scolding. It ended up costing a life.

The way police describe the incident, two brothers from Fallbrook went to a party Monday in Chula Vista. By 10 p.m. they had downed a few drinks, then left the party, got into an argument with neighbors and tried to walk away.

But one side, maybe both sides, didn’t want to give up the fight. The shouting got louder as the two brothers and two others drifted down the 400 block of Hidden Vista Drive, drawing attention and rousting neighbors, Chula Vista Police Lt. Merlin Wilson said.

“Words were exchanged; pretty soon fists were exchanged,” Wilson said.

The scuffle traveled to the nearby 500 block of Kiley Road, Wilson said. More words, more blows, then suddenly one of the brothers was being held captive in front of the home of a 28-year-old electrician named Robert Scott, Lt. Richard Strickland said.

One of the captors beat on Scott’s front door, demanding to use the phone to summon police. Scott emerged with a puzzled look on his face and a .38-caliber pistol in his hand, Strickland said. Police were called.

Meanwhile the older brother, James Richards, 22, had fled. The younger brother, Stephen Richards, 20, was being held at gunpoint, waiting for police to arrive, when James Richards returned and tried to surprise his brother’s captors, according to police.

James reportedly struck Scott in the back of the head with a pipe-like object. Scott then shot James, Wilson said. Stephen struggled free and was also shot as he tried to restrain Scott.

Stephen was taken to Mercy Hospital, where he died shortly after midnight Tuesday, a spokesman for the county medical examiner’s office said. James was treated for a single gunshot wound to the lower body and was in fair condition Tuesday, Strickland said.

Scott was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, Strickland said. He was being held at the County Jail downtown. Bail was pending, police said.

“This guy (Scott) had no idea what was happening,” Wilson said. “He just hears some yelling, then someone beating on his door, and he comes out to see what is going on. It was kind of a silly argument to begin with.”

Wilson’s voice dropped as he described the offense that sparked the fight.

“The brothers were accused of tipping over trash cans,” Wilson said.

And they refused to pick them up.