Lenny Doe, a 54-year-old white male from Chico, California, died on September 22, 2025, after being shot during an incident at a residence on the 2600 block of West Sacramento Avenue. During a 911 call made around 4:54 p.m., the caller—later identified as Doe—was overheard pleading, “Don’t shoot me,” before deputies arrived to find him deceased from gunshot wounds.
Deputies with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office detained Doe’s son, 35-year-old Matthew Theobald, at the scene. Investigators reported finding shotgun shells in Theobald’s pocket and, after serving a search warrant, recovered a shotgun on the property. Authorities said Theobald, who was on active state parole, was arrested following the investigation on one count of murder, with additional allegations related to prohibited possession of ammunition.
Friends and community members later remembered Doe as a helpful and generous presence in Chico, gathering to mourn and share tributes to his life. A funeral notice announced a celebration of life at Chico Community Church on October 10, 2025, reflecting the breadth of support around his family and the shock felt by those who knew him.
As of the latest reports, Theobald is the sole named suspect, and the sheriff’s office has asked anyone with information to come forward. Public listings also memorialized Doe as a victim of gun violence on the date of the shooting, aligning with the law enforcement timeline of events.
