Girl Scouts and their families are warned after police arrest a man who they say pointed a gun at a young girl who knocked on his door selling cookies. Tony Shin reports from Temecula for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014.
A girl selling cookies in her own neighborhood allegedly had a gun pointed at her after knocking on a man’s door.
"She'll never forget that. That'll live with her," a neighbor said.
Officers responded on Sunday to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 31000 block of Strawberry Tree Lane, according to the Temecula Police Department.
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Through investigation, officers learned that a minor was fundraising when she knocked on a door to a home. When a man answered the door, he apparently pointed a gun at the girl, authorities said.
The minor’s father witnessed the gun being pointed at his daughter and called police, officials said.
At this time we don't know exactly know what provoked the male to do that. It's still under investigation. We do know, that's all (the girl) was doing, she was just trying to sell cookies," Albert Martinez of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.
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Officers recovered a weapon as evidence and arrested John Dodrill, 59, without incident. Dodrill was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and is being held on $25,000 bail.
"I heard banging again and I just looked out the window and I just seen a whole bunch of cops," neighbor Aaron Sosa said.
Sosa told NBC4 that officers had rifles and guns drawn and Dodrill gave up without incident.
Neighbors told NBC4 that Dodrill lives at home with a woman, possibly his wife, and two teenaged children.
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Officials could not confirm if the minor was a Girl Scout.
Anyone with information is asked to call authorities at 951-696-3000.
