Herald Murder Shocks Small Town's Residents

HERALD (CBS13) - A man was murdered in a rural community in Sacramento County, and now residents are worried about a killer on the loose.

Despite that murder happening Sunday, a man shot in front of a home in Herald, sheriff's detectives were still there Monday night, scouring a very large property, trying to figure out what happened.

"It don't think I've ever heard of a murder in Herald," one resident said.

"This stuff just doesn't happen out here," another said.

But apparently the small town is not immune to big-city violence.

Search dogs and detectives descended on the home and property in the town of 1,200 more than 24 hours after a man was found shot to death in the front yard.

But a neighbor who didn't want to go on camera said it's not uncommon to hear gunshots in this rural area. He said he can't believe it would happen at the home in question, though.

"They've been there a long time," he said. "They're really nice people, very respectable. This is surprising."

Deputies have offered few details, only saying the 50-year-old man related to the family who lived here. His nephew discovered him in the driveway.

"It kind of opens your eyes to the reality that crime can be anywhere at any time," a resident said.

While detectives have not identified a suspect publicly, they would not rule out a possible family argument situation.

Neighbors just hope whoever's responsible is arrested, and quickly.

"It'd make me feel better if he be brought to justice," one said.

The coroner's office had not released the name of the victim.