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Suspicious death in Camp Meeker investigated as murder

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office still has no answers on what happened Feb. 12 that led to the homicide of James Calvin Bauer, age 30.

Bauer was found dead in the home he was sharing with his stepfather, located on the 100 block of Market Street in Camp Meeker on Feb. 12, 2021, according to Sonoma County Sheriff Public Information Officer Misti Wood.

The Sheriff’s Department received a phone call around 4 p.m. that Friday about an apparent suicide. When deputies arrived at the house, they found a man who had died with at least one gunshot wound. The coroner was called in, which is normal procedure, according to Wood.

“He thought it might be suspicious,” Wood said.

The Violent Crimes Investigation unit was called and confiscated a gun. No drugs were found at the house. The Violent Crimes Investigation unit is currently looking at other evidence and talking with individuals for more information.

“Right now we’re following up on all leads,” Wood said.

On March 17, Wood said the Sheriff’s Office had received a couple of calls since requesting public help and offering a reward.

“We’re still encouraging people to call if they have any info,” Wood said.

According to Katy Lee, long-time Camp Meeker resident and creator of a Camp Meeker-only Facebook group focused on “Camp Meeker related stuff, from crime tips to party invites,” Bauer had been known in the Camp Meeker community to cause problems with other locals.

According to Lee, on Jan. 21, Bauer and an older Camp Meeker resident were on Occidental-Camp Meeker Road.

“Calvin was passing by him, decided to turn around, ambush him from the back and injure the guy,” Lee said.

A few days later, a friend came to Lee with a picture of Bauer, asking if she knew of the man.

“This friend isn’t on social media and asked if I could help,” Lee said.

Lee shared the picture of Bauer on Facebook: “ATTENTION MEEKSTERS: Who is this guy? He jogs and has on numerous occasions attacked people for numerous reasons. Ladt [sic] Thursday he beat someone up. Deputies are involved and need an I.D. on this guy. Thx!”

The post was shared more than 20 times.

“Sure enough, a bunch of people came forward with stories,” Lee said. “And I wondered why people didn’t call the sheriff.”

Lee called the sheriff department.

“I gave them the address given to me by locals,” Lee said. “He’s out of the house hours later.”

According to Lee, Bauer was released from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department and returned back to Camp Meeker.

“Then, a few days later, I was at Redwood Alliance and a Sheriff is at the guy’s house,” Lee said.

Lee, who works at the Camp Meeker Post Office, also located on Market Street, said the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, asked to look at camera footage from 2:30 p.m. on the day of Bauer’s death.

“Specifically they asked to look at camera 6 that points to Occidental towing,” Lee said.

According to Lee, the Sheriff’s Department was trying to distinguish gunshot sounds amid ongoing construction.

However, Wood said the Sheriff’s Office received no calls or reports of gunshots for that time in Camp Meeker on Feb. 12.

Anyone with information that may lead to an arrest is being offered a reward of up to $2,500 by the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement Foundation. Those with information may contact Deputy Sheriff Nick Berg at 707-565-2185.

This story will continue to be updated.

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