An autopsy of a man shot by sheriff's deputies Saturday in Pine Grove revealed that he had numerous self-inflicted stab wounds, including one that would have been fatal, according to the Amador County Sheriff's Department.
The man, who appeared at a neighbor's house shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday covered with blood, was identified as Gaylord Neil Story, 59.
Story was shot by deputies after he tried to attack them with a large knife, officials said. The forensic examination of Story was conducted by the Sacramento County Coroner's Office.
Undersheriff Jim Wegner said he could not comment on what might have led Story to stab himself. He said records did not indicate a history of confrontations between Story and his neighbors or law enforcement. "He was not someone who was known to us," Wegner said.
Sheriff's deputies on Saturday responded to a 911 call from a 53-year-old woman who lives on Primrose Lane. She reported that her neighbor, Story, showed up on her property covered in blood. The woman told deputies that she thought Story had been shot, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.
The woman told Story that she would call 911, and he reportedly told her not to do that.
The woman went into her residence and call 911 as Story attempted to force his way into her home, officials said.
Although the woman said she did not see Story with weapons, she reported that there was a firearm in her residence to which he would have access.
The woman then fled from the house to an area near her horse stalls, and Story entered the residence.
The woman told deputies that she last saw Story searching for her near her horses, and she fled to a neighbor's home.
Sheriff's deputies arrived 12 minutes after receiving the call, interviewed the woman and then went to her property. There they found Story standing near the residence and rummaging through the caller's vehicle. Deputies said Story's torso was covered in blood.
When deputies ordered Story to show his hands, he replied, "You are too late," according to the news release.
Story continued to ignore deputies' orders, and deputies saw that he was attempting to conceal a large knife, officials said. Story then ran toward the rear of the property and deputies followed him as he ran toward a wooded area behind two buildings.
As deputies searched for Story, he appeared from behind the outbuildings, raised a large butcher-type knife over his shoulder and rapidly advanced toward the deputies. Two deputies fired their weapons protect themselves, each firing two rounds at Story, who was about 15 feet from one of the deputies at the time, according to the news release. The autopsy found that all four shots struck Story, three in the torso and one in the thigh.
Paramedics arrived within three minutes of the shooting, officials said, and Story was pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputies and a California Highway Patrol officer went to Story's home to check for anyone who might be injured. They found a bloody knife and a large quantity of blood in the residence, but no person was found. Wegner said Story lived alone.
Deputies also determined that Story had stabbed and severely injured one of the woman's horses, and an emergency veterinarian was summoned to care for the animal. Wegner said the 14-year-old gelding quarter horse is expected to make a full recovery.
Wegner said the state Department of Justice is conducting the investigation into the shooting. The deputies involved are on administrative leave but are expected to return to duty next week.
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