A North Auburn fishing trip turned violent on May 23 when a man allegedly attacked two women at Chana Park while they were fishing with a child. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office says an elderly woman was knocked out of her wheelchair and briefly lost consciousness, and the other woman was knocked to the ground and punched several times. Two bystanders stepped in, reportedly tackling and holding the suspect until deputies arrived. The man was taken into custody at the scene.
What Officials Say
According to CBS Sacramento, the sheriff's office identified the suspect as 49-year-old Michael Appleberry and said he is facing multiple battery-related charges. Deputies told the outlet that Appleberry resisted arrest and spat blood onto medics at the scene. Investigators said they did not have an updated condition for the women who were attacked.
Where It Happened
Chana Park sits in north Auburn along Highway 49 and is a regular stop on Placer County Transit’s Route 30. The transit agency's route map lists Chana Park between Auburn Station and the Hwy 49 & Quartz Drive stop, underscoring the park’s location inside a residential corridor.
Shelter Connection and Services
The sheriff's office told CBS Sacramento that Appleberry is a resident of The Gathering Inn in Auburn. The Gathering Inn describes the program as a 100-bed emergency housing and supportive-services provider in Mid Placer that offers case management, meals and short-term housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Legal Status
Appleberry was arrested at the scene and is facing battery-related charges, local authorities said. Court filings and booking details were not immediately available and deputies had not released updated information on the victims’ conditions.
