Boy, 15, survives 30-hour ordeal in Sierra Wilderness after running from gunman who killed his dad
A 15-year-old boy survived a 30-hour ordeal in the Sierra wilderness after running from a gunman who killed his father.
A California gunman, who police say shot and killed the father of a 15-year-old boy who evaded the suspect for more than 30 hours by hiding in the Tahoe National Forest, was taken into custody after trying to run over two wildlife officers, investigators say.
John Thomas Conway, of Oroville, eventually was arrested on the Fourth of July following an officer-involved shooting and K-9 deployment, according to the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office.
“Even though the juvenile... spent the night alone in the forest, he was in good physical condition and did not require medical attention,” it said in a statement. “After giving him some food and water, officers transported him to the Sheriff's Office, where he was reunited with his mother.”
Police say charges are set to be announced soon against John Thomas Conway. (Butte County Sheriff's Office)
CALIFORNIA BOY HID ALONE IN THE TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST
Police say the ordeal involving Conway began Friday after they received word that two people – who did not know him – sustained gunshot wounds in what “appeared to be a random act of violence.”
While transporting the pair to a local hospital, Jack Gershman used his cellphone to report that his father Ari had been shot and that the teen had run off and become lost, the sheriff’s office said.
“The 15-year-old told the 911 dispatcher that he and his father, who was later identified as Dr. Ari Gershman, a physician from Danville, encountered the suspect while driving down a dirt road,” its statement read. “The suspect opened fire on Dr. Gershman and his son, killing Dr. Gershman.”
Ari Gershman had taken his son to the Tahoe National Forest for an off-roading trip in a new four-wheel-drive Jeep, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the family.
Highway curves through the mountains at Tahoe National Forest, California, USA. (iStock)
Police say they located Gershman’s body and the vehicle. A massive search effort by numerous law enforcement agencies was then launched for Jack and the suspect – who were both found Saturday, the Fourth of July.
GIRL, 13, KILLED IN VIOLENT CALIFORNIA CARJACKING
“Shortly after locating the juvenile, the suspect approached two California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife officers and a U.S. Forest Service officer at high speed in [a] utility-terrain-vehicle,” the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office said.
The officers had set up a checkpoint and attempted to stop Conway, police say, but the 40-year-old did not obey.
“The suspect failed to stop and tried to run over the two wildlife officers and then fled south on Saddleback Road towards Downieville,” the Sheriff’s Office said in its statement.
“A third wildlife officer was positioned down the road in Downieville and started driving up the hill to block the suspects' vehicle,” it continued,” resulting in a collision as they were “attempting to take the suspect into custody.”
Conway, whom police described as immediately representing a “threat” to law enforcement, was arrested after the officer-involved shooting and K-9 deployment. The extent of his injuries was not revealed – but he was taken to a hospital after receiving medical treatment at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office says the county district attorney is set to announce charges against him soon. Prior to this past weekend's arrest, Conway was wanted by the Butte County Sheriff's Office on a felony warrant charging him with battery, vandalism and two counts of making terroristic threats, the Chico Enterprise-Record reported in 2019.
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Gershman, meanwhile, leaves behind two other children.
“Ari was an avid bicyclist, a vegetarian, an outdoorsman, an internal medicine doctor, a devoted and loving father and fantastic friend that was willing to drop anything for his friends and family,” the GoFundMe page said.
Fox News’ Robert Gearty contributed to this report.
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