Fatal Hemet Shooting: Police Track Alleged Killer To Los Angeles

HEMET, CA — A parolee suspected of fatally shooting a 30-year-old man in Hemet was arrested in Los Angeles, authorities said Thursday.

Johnnie Joseph Paul Gatison, 36, of Perris was taken into custody Wednesday night and booked into the Hemet City Jail on suspicion of murder. He was being held without bail.

According to Hemet police Lt. Nathan Miller, detectives identified Gatison as the gunman within a few hours of the victim's death.

Miller said the attack happened about 4:25 a.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of North Elk Street, near Latham Avenue.

Patrol officers were sent to investigate a shots-fired call and located the victim, identified only as a Hemet resident, suffering from a grave leg wound. The man was taken to Hemet Valley Medical Center, where he died in the emergency room less than an hour later.

A motive for the attack was not disclosed.

Miller said officers fanned out in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the shooter. However, after developing leads, they turned their attention to Gatison, who was stopped while driving through Watts about 10:30 p.m. He was arrested without incident during the traffic stop, according to the lieutenant.

Riverside County jail records indicate Gatison was arrested in August on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, but he posted a $105,000 bond and was released a few days later.

Miller said the suspect was recently paroled from state prison, but information on his previous convictions was not immediately available.