Update: Suspect And Deceased Identified In The Long Barn Murder

Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office

Update at 2:15 p.m.: The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect and deceased in an update on a shooting Wednesday night in Long Barn.

Investigators, noting that the next of kin has been notified, identified the deceased as 62-year-old Joseph Barbalinardo Jr., of Long Barn. The suspect, 69-year-old James West of Long Barn, was arrested this morning and booked into the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC) on first-degree murder and attempted murder charges. The second victim, who was flown to an undisclosed hospital, has not been named.

Sheriff’s officials relayed that the murder scene had been cleared, adding that this is an active investigation and that as it progresses, the public will be updated.

Original post written by BJ Hansen at 6:29 a.m.: Long Barn, CA — The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a homicide investigation in Long Barn.

Shortly after 10 o’clock on Wednesday evening, deputies responded to the area of Long Barn Road near Circle Drive for a report of a man being shot. While heading to the location, a second person was also reportedly shot. When deputies arrived, they ordered multiple people out of the home, including the shooting suspect, who was taken into custody.

Inside the residence, there was a deceased man who had died from gunshot wounds, and a second victim, who was injured and transported by medics to an air ambulance. An active investigation remains ongoing in the area and community members are urged to stay away from the scene. No names have been released at this time.