Feb. 20, 2005
5:30–6:00 p.m. — Time window when death occurred (per three deputy reports)
5:50 p.m. — Deputy John Armstrong dispatched via Combined Communications to 1278 Woody Creek Road for a reported shooting.
5:52 p.m. — Deputy Brad Gibson receives dispatch call while at Basalt Police Department, also responding.
6 p.m. — Armstrong arrives at residence
• Hears three shotgun blasts upon entering driveway.
• Meets “Ben” at caretaker’s cabin, instructs him to stay put.
• Armstrong contacts Juan Thompson, son of Hunter Thompson, who explains he fired a shotgun into the air in tribute to his father.
• Juan confirms his wife Jennifer and son William are also present.
• Deputy Gibson arrives on scene shortly after Armstrong.
6 p.m. — Director of Investigations Joe DiSalvo phones Dep