The Region - News from Sept. 19, 1986

A California Highway Patrol officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the May 4 shooting death of Raymond Charles Kountz, 29, the son of former Ventura Mayor Eugene Kountz. A report released by the Ventura County district attorney said Officer Brian Smith, 24, acted in self-defense when he shot and killed Kountz after stopping him for investigation of drunk driving. The district attorney found that Kountz ran from the officer when he tried to administer a roadside sobriety test. The two men fought and Smith dropped his baton. Kountz picked it up and advanced “in a threatening manner” on the officer, who shot him once in the chest, the report said. Tests later revealed that Kountz had a blood alcohol level of .17%, well above the .10% legal limit for intoxication.