Banning Park Shooting: Accused Due In Court

BANNING, CA — A Banning man accused of firing on a person at a city park is due to make a court appearance this week.

Donald Wesley Morgan, 58, is charged with assault with a gun, as well as sentencing enhancements of possessing a firearm and ammunition despite his status as a convicted felon, according to court records. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled in court Tuesday for a felony settlement conference, according to court records.

Morgan is being held on $140,000 bail at Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, court records show.

According to the Banning Police Department, just after 8 p.m. on July 27 officers went to Roosevelt Williams Park at 1101 E. George Street after getting a report about gunshots fired.

Officers found evidence of a shooting at the park. A victim had been rushed to a local hospital with "a non-life-threatening gunshot wound," according to the department. The person's identity was not released.

Witnesses provided information that led investigators to believe Morgan was the suspect. Details about how he was allegedly tied to the shooting and a motive for the attack were not disclosed by police. His relationship, if any, to the victim was not disclosed.

Jail records show Morgan was arrested about 75 minutes after police were called to the park. He was picked up at Cherry Street near and Nicolet Street.