On July 14, 2023, at approximately 4:30 PM, Novato Police Department officers responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting gunfire in the area of Martin Drive near Lovejoy Way in Novato, California. Upon arrival, officers discovered 47-year-old Ray Allen Mays unresponsive on the back porch of a residence, alongside a deceased dog. Both appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds. Paramedics determined that Mays was in cardiopulmonary arrest and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Investigators learned that Mays and his 65-year-old roommate, Paul Dwight, had been involved in a dispute over their living arrangements. A firearm was recovered from the residence. Dwight was arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of murder and animal cruelty; he is being held without bail. Another roommate was also arrested on suspicion of obstructing and delaying a police investigation.
The incident prompted street closures and a shelter-in-place order for part of the neighborhood. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information to contact Novato police investigators at 415-897-1122.
The Marin County Sheriff's Office and Coroner Division extended their condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mays. A forensic postmortem examination, including toxicology testing, was scheduled to determine the exact cause and manner of death, pending the conclusion of the investigations.
