Inyo County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested James Knight, an Olancha resident, on September 28, 2026, following a report of shots fired at a local residence. The incident, which occurred at approximately 8:38 p.m., led to Knight being booked into the Inyo County Jail on multiple felony charges, including animal cruelty.
Deputies were dispatched to a residence in Olancha after receiving the initial report of gunfire. While en route, dispatch received further critical information. Reports indicated that a dog had been shot and killed in the front yard of the residence. Concurrently, additional reports of gunshots were received by dispatch from the vicinity of the Mobile gas station in the Olancha area.
Responding deputies quickly located a suspect, identified as James Knight, in a brush-covered field situated near the residence where the initial shooting was reported. Deputies engaged Knight, issuing verbal commands. Following these commands, deputies were able to successfully take Knight into custody without further incident, according to the Inyo County Sheriff's Office.
Knight, identified as a resident of Olancha, was subsequently transported and booked into the Inyo County Jail. He faces a series of felony charges stemming from the September 28 incident. These charges include 246 PC for shooting at an inhabited dwelling, vehicle, or occupied building, and 29800(A)(1) PC for being a felon or addict in possession of a firearm. Additionally, Knight was charged under 597(A) PC for cruelty to an animal or animal killing, and 246.3(A) PC for the willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner.
During the ongoing investigation, Knight reportedly informed deputies that he had discarded a firearm he used to commit the crime in the nearby area. To assist with the search, K9 Envar was deployed. The police dog successfully located the firearm approximately 20 to 30 feet from the precise location where Knight had been taken into custody by deputies.
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the investigation into the incident remains ongoing. At this time, no victim names or additional identifying information related to the case will be released to the public. The Sheriff's Office also issued a reminder that all suspects are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law.