Man Arrested for April 11 Graniteville Homicide

GRASS VALLEY — Nevada County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested thirty-three-year-old Seth David Cotten of Nevada City on the evening of May 18. Officers located Cotten at a private residence on Lower Colfax Road in Grass Valley. They surrounded the property with support from the Special Enforcement Detail, Critical Incident Negotiations Team, Drone Team, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, CAL FIRE NEU, Peardale Chicago Park Fire District, and Sierra Nevada Ambulance. Cotten gave himself up without incident and was booked into the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in the early morning hours of May 19.

Deputies found forty-five-year-old Jeremy Norton of Nevada City deceased at a scene on Yellow Pine Lane off Graniteville Road in a remote area of Nevada City on April 11. The discovery followed a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting around noon that day. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit responded and launched a homicide investigation immediately. The case remains active and ongoing, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators determined Cotten had allegedly attempted to kill Norton on April 3 by shooting at him and a second victim. The earlier incident occurred approximately one week before Norton’s death. Detectives examined the April 3 event in correlation with the homicide case.

Detectives obtained a Ramey warrant on April 16 for the attempted murder of the surviving victim from the first shooting. Cotten appeared to be in hiding during the weeks that followed. On the evening of May 18, law enforcement tracked Cotten to the Grass Valley location.

Nevada County Sheriff’s Office detectives continue to work closely with the District Attorney’s Office on the cases. Cotten remains the primary suspect in the murder of Norton. Additional charges are anticipated as the investigation proceeds.