No Charges As of Yet in Shooting Involving 75-Year-Old Spring Valley Man

Prosecutors continued Thursday to review possible charges against a man accused of gunning down his stepson after the victim hit him with a crowbar during an argument on Labor Day.

Thomas Blease Bethel, 75, of Spring Valley was of 54-year-old Calvert Daniel.

The victim died about 10:30 a.m. Monday at the scene of the shooting in front of his home in the 5500 block of Potomac Street in Paradise Hills, according to San Diego police.

Bethel will be released from jail as prosecutors continue to review the case, said Steve Walker of the District Attorney's Office. Bethel was initially scheduled for arraignment today.

The gunfire erupted after Bethel confronted Daniel, his stepson, about damage Bethel's car had sustained at the younger man's residence the previous day, San Diego police Sgt. David Dolan said.

During an ensuing argument, Daniel grabbed a crowbar and hit his stepfather on the head with it, Dolan alleged. Bethel then allegedly pulled a pistol and shot Daniel at least once.

After receiving hospital treatment for his injury, Bethel was questioned by detectives and arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder.

At the time of the shooting, Bethel was angry because the tires of his vehicle had been flattened after he loaned it to someone to visit Daniel, according to Dolan. Bethel apparently blamed his stepson for the vandalism, the sergeant said.

– City News Service