Attempted Murder in Bridgeport

To:      All News Outlets

From:  Jennifer Hansen, Public Information Officer

Date:   November 20, 2013

RE:      Attempted Murder in Bridgeport

On the evening of Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at approximately 7:40pm, Mono County Sheriff’s Dispatch was contacted by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) hotline reporting a male parked outside the Bridgeport CHP Office that needed paramedics for an unknown medical issue.

Mono County Sheriff’s Deputies, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Mono County Paramedics, and the Bridgeport Fire Department, responded to the 74800 Block of Highway 395 in Bridgeport in front of the CHP Office. Deputies, and other responders, located the male victim, John Peabody, age 66, of Plymouth, CA, in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, covered in blood, with multiple stab wounds to his head, face, and arms.

Upon initial investigation, it was determined that there was some type of altercation between Mr. Peabody and Mr. Travis Christian, age 27, of Bridgeport, CA, who was working as the night manager at the Big Mountain Lodge, in Bridgeport. During the altercation, it is believed that Mr. Christian began beating and stabbing Mr. Peabody in the head and face.

A guest staying at the lodge heard the altercation, and Mr. Peabody yelling for help, and assisted Mr. Peabody, allowing him to drive to the CHP Office to get help. Mr. Christian was subsequently located by Sheriff’s Deputies and placed under arrest without incident.

Mr. Peabody was taken via Care Flight to Renown Medical Center in Reno where he is currently in ICU being treated for his injuries. Mr. Christian is currently in custody at the Mono County Jail in Bridgeport pending charges of attempted murder. This case is currently under investigation with the Mono County Sheriff’s Office and Mono County District Attorney’s Office.