DUNLAP – A Madera man lost his life early Friday mornings after suffering injuries during a fight with a Squaw Valley man. Thomas Robert Christopher (56) of Madera County was killed shortly after midnight Friday after he attempted to gain entry into a mobile home on the property.
A man dialed 911 to report he had just been involved in a fight with an intruder, later identified as Thomas Christopher. Deputies responded to a home on the 49000 block of Chuckwagon Road in Squaw Valley.
Officers met with the caller who explained Christopher was injured, lying in his front yard. Deputies attempted to give the man medical aid, but he was deceased. The man who survived the fight, who deputies have not released his identity, was transported to the hospital.
Homicide detectives were called to the scene to begin an investigation. Detectives gained an understanding of what happened after interviewing witnesses and examining evidence. Christopher had parked his vehicle down the road and walked to the trailer on the property and began banging on the door, calling the man by name to come out. The two men have known each other for several years.
The man, who was asleep, got up and opened the door. Christopher allegedly pushed his way through and immediately began attacking the man with a metal pipe. The man fought back, pushing Christopher out onto the front porch. The man delivered several strikes to Christopher, severely injuring him.
According to Tony Botti of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, the man then called the Sheriff’s Office to report what had taken place. The early investigation shows Christopher was upset with the man over a woman they have both been involved with.
Detectives say the other man who was close to Christopher's age was sent to the hospital for a leg injury, has not been charged in this homicide. Investigators are now trying to determine if the other man's actions were justified. "If we find something glaring, that doesn't line up with the story during the examination, then that, of course, could change," Botti said.
This remains an ongoing investigation. An autopsy on Christopher will determine if the mab acted in self-defense.
Christopher’s last known address in Madera was on Avenue 14 near Road 23. He leaves behind a wife of one year and several children. He was a 1983 graduate of Madera High School and attended John Adams Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Junior High.
Anyone with additional information about is asked to please contact Detective Adrian Villegas at (559) 600-8210 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
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