Christopher L. Demyen, a 39-year-old resident of Acton, California, tragically lost his life on May 15, 2013. Demyen, who was the owner of Acton Water Company, was shot and killed during an altercation. The incident occurred on Eagle Butte Road in Acton, where Demyen was attempting to mediate a dispute between his employee and a neighbor. The confrontation escalated when Scott Shipley, a 57-year-old resident of Acton, retrieved a gun from his house and shot Demyen in the chest. The altercation began over a complaint Shipley had about an Acton Water Company truck parked in front of a neighbor’s house, filling up a pool. Shipley confronted Demyen, and after a heated exchange, the situation turned violent, leading to Demyen's death.
Following the incident, Scott Shipley was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The case went to trial, and in April 2014, Shipley was found guilty. The jury also found that Shipley had intentionally discharged his firearm during the crime. During the trial, it was revealed that Shipley had told Demyen, "Hit me and see what you get," before pushing him and subsequently shooting him. The prosecution argued that Shipley's actions were premeditated, as he had gone into his house to retrieve the gun before the fatal confrontation.
In August 2014, Shipley was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the murder of Christopher Demyen. The sentence included an additional 15 years to life for the use of a firearm in the commission of the crime. During the sentencing hearing, several of Demyen's family members provided emotional impact statements, expressing their grief and the profound loss they had experienced. Demyen's wife, Amber, who was six months pregnant at the time of the murder, spoke about the devastating impact on their family. Tragically, she later gave birth to a stillborn daughter, adding to the family's sorrow.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Palmdale Station. The murder of Christopher Demyen and the subsequent trial and sentencing of Scott Shipley brought a sense of closure to the family, although the loss of Demyen left a lasting void. The community of Acton mourned the loss of a respected business owner and a beloved family man. Demyen was laid to rest at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, where his family and friends gathered to honor his memory.
