UPDATE: The Sierra County Sheriff's Office has released charges against a man accused of killing one man and injuring two others in a shooting near Poker Flat on the Fourth of July weekend.
40-year-old John Conway is being charged with murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, unlawful discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle and felon in possession of a firearm.
Sierra County Sheriff's Office says there are several special allegations, including intentional discharge of a firearm with injury and murder from a motor vehicle.
You can see the full document below.
The Sierra County Sheriff's Office says a multi-agency response ended an active shooter threat in Sierra County last weekend.
Officials say on July 3, the Sheriff's Office received word that two people were shot in the Poker Flat area of northwestern Sierra County. They said the suspect was driving a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) and neither victim knew the shooter. Officials said it appeared to be a random act of violence.
The Sheriff's Office says after the two victims were taken out of the area, a 911 call came in from a 15-year-old caller in the same area, stating he and his father encountered the suspect while driving down a dirt road. He said the suspect opened fired on him and his father, later identified as Dr. Ari Gershman. Gershman was killed at the scene. Officials said the son fled into the forest to escape the shooter and find an area where he could call for help.
Officials said throughout the night of July 3 and into July 4, the Sheriff's Office coordinated a massive response to the area. Multiple agencies responded, including Washoe County helicopters.
They said officers were able to locate Gershman's body and his vehicle. The Sheriff's Office says officers searched the surrounding area for the suspect and the missing teen. As day broke, tactical teams were assembled and continued searching the area.
Sierra County Sheriff's Office says in the afternoon of July 4, officers and a K9 hiked through the forest and were able to find the missing teen. They said even though he spent the night alone, he was in good physical condition and did not require medical attention. After giving him some food and water, officers took him to the Sierra County Sheriff's Office where he was reunited with his mother.
Officials said shortly after locating the teen, the suspect approached two California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers and a United States Forest Service officer at high speed in the UTV. They said the officers were maintaining a checkpoint on Saddleback Road and tried to stop him. Officials said the suspect did not stop and tried to run over the two wildlife officers and fled south on Saddleback Road towards Downieville. The Sheriff's Office says a third wildlife officer was positioned down the road in Downieville and started driving up the hill to block the suspect's vehicle. They said the suspect immediately represented a threat to the officers, leading to an officer-involved shooting and deployment of a K9.
The Sheriff's Office says the suspect was taken into custody and was taken to the hospital. He was identified as 40-year-old John Conway of Oroville.
Sierra County Sheriff's Office is working with the Sierra County District Attorney who anticipates announcing charges soon.
Anyone who has any information on the incident is urged to contact the Sierra County Sheriff's Office at (530) 289-3700.
