Man Arrested, Again, in 2015 Murder of Neighbor: Deputies

Michael Walliser, 68, is accused of shooting and killing his neighbor, Ronald Drinkard, 50, on March 22, 2015, at his home in Potrero

A man suspected of killing his neighbor – who was jailed nearly a year ago for the crime but then released – was arrested once more on the murder charge Wednesday, officials confirmed.

Michael Walliser, 68, is accused of shooting and killing his neighbor, Ronald Drinkard, 50, on March 22, 2015, at his home in the 23300 block of Coyote Holler Road in Potrero, a rural community about 45 miles southeast of downtown San Diego.

That night, at around 6:45 p.m., Walliser called the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDSO) to report he had shot Drinkard. When deputies arrived at Walliser’s home, they found Drinkard’s lifeless body on the front porch.

Homicide detectives launched an investigation and Walliser was arrested the night of the shooting. He was booked into San Diego Central Jail but, ultimately, charges were not issued against him and he was released, the SDSO said.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s (ME) office conducted an autopsy on Drinkard and determined he was a victim of homicide and had died from multiple gunshot wounds.

On Feb. 10, SDSO homicide detectives issued a warrant for Walliser’s arrest on one count of murder. The next day, Walliser was taken into custody at his home on Bartley Place in Escondido.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case should contact SDSO’s Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
 

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