 "Photo: Photo courtesy of Marcia Herrmann")
More than four years after a Chico State junior was shot in the head on his doorstep, police have made no arrests in the case despite a $10,000 reward.
Christopher Herrmann, 22, was killed about 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 2003, outside his Hazel Street home, said Sgt. Rob Merrifield of the Chico Police Department.
"It was one of these cases where the suspect had minimal contact with the victim," he said. "There was no physical evidence of a struggle. Basically someone knocked at the door, Chris opened the door and was executed."
Police questioned several people about the case. A few leads popped up, but nothing materialized, said Sgt. Dave Barrow of the Chico Police Department. Herrmann didn't get along with a lot of people. He had been in fights and police found marijuana and methamphetamine inside his house. Neighbors speculated the murder stemmed from drug dealings, but Barrow would not comment on the matter. Neighbors told police that Herrmann was responsible for several robberies in the area. There was no evidence to support that claim, Barrow said.
Rick Herrmann, Chris Herrmann's father, remembers the day he got the phone call from Chris' mother about his son's shooting, he said. He was working at Good Guys in Citrus Heights.
The word "killed" was never mentioned so the Modesto resident thought his son would be OK, he said. But when he called police, he learned his son had died.
"I just went blank," Rick Herrmann said.
Abby Haughy will remember her cousin for the person he was.
"He was just such a special kid," the San Ramos resident said. "He had a gleam in his eyes, and he was so motivated."
Herrmann, a business major, was shot once in the head. A friend found him lying in the doorway, and at first he thought Herrmann had been beaten up, police said. But after getting closer he realized Herrmann had been shot and called police. Some neighbors reported hearing what they thought sounded like firecrackers but didn't look to see what the sound was and didn't see anyone.
Herrmann's family raised $5,000, and the city of Chico matched that amount.
"Some rewards do help, but a lot of time people that have information about homicide will still withhold it for fear of their own safety," Barrow said.
They hoped the money would get someone to come forward, but Rick Herrmann isn't sure that will happen, and he's thinking about giving the money to charity, he said.
"One day I'm just going to make that decision," he said. "… I had hope in the beginning."
Anyone with information can call the Chico Police Department at 897-4911.
Olga Muñoz can be reached at omunoz1@mail.csuchico.edu
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