On Saturday, March 16, 2019 at approximately 4:48 a.m. San Rafael Police Department dispatch received a call from a man claiming to have heard a gunshot. The caller, later identified as Christopher Patrick Skaates, 40 years old of Sebastopol, told dispatchers that he believed a family member had been shot. Skaates, who was calling from a boat docked at Loch Lomond Marina, further advised dispatch that he was in possession of a firearm and had been drinking.

Officers responded to the marina and established phone communication with Skaates. After approximately one hour of negotiating Officer Mark Wilkinson was able to convince Skaates to put the gun down and exit the boat voluntarily. Skaates’ family member was on the boat but was unharmed. Investigation revealed that Skaates had fired three shots from a handgun while on the boat. Officers seized firearms from the boat and took them for safekeeping.

Skaates was arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail for Willful Discharge of a Firearm and shooting at an inhabited dwelling.