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DOWNIEVILLE — A man suspected of opening fire on a father and son, killing the father, in northwestern Sierra County was identified as an Oroville man who previously appeared on Butte County’s most wanted list.

John Conway, 40, of Oroville, was arrested July 4 after a manhunt that lasted more than 24 hours and involved several agencies from the area. He is suspected of shooting at a father and son in the Poker Flats area Friday, July 3, killing the father, Dr. Ari Gershman, while his 15-year-old son fled into the woods and was later found in good condition.

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Gershman and his son, of Danville, were in the area July 3 driving a new four-wheel drive Jeep, according to a GoFundMe page organized on behalf of the family.

At approximately 4 p.m., the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received reports that two people were wounded in a shooting by an assailant who was reportedly driving a utility terrain vehicle.

A press release from the Sheriff’s Office said neither person knew the shooter, and the shooting “appeared to be a random act of violence.”

After the two injured people were transported, a 911 call came in from the same area describing another attack. The caller, who turned out to be Gershman’s 15-year-old son, said he and his father encountered the suspect while driving down a dirt road. The shooter opened fire, killing Gershman, while the 15-year-old fled into the woods and found an area to call for help.

Initial responding officers located Gershman and his vehicle, while a “massive” law enforcement search was coordinated throughout the night of July 3 to find both the suspected shooter and the teenager.

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On the afternoon of Saturday, July 4, California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers and a K-9 tracked the missing teenager while hiking through the forest. The 15-year-old, found in good condition, received food and water from officers and was later reunited with his mother at the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office.

“Although the juvenile had fled a considerable distance, the officers were able to track and locate him,” the release stated. “Even though the juvenile had fled the shooting and spent the night alone in the forest, he was in good physical condition and did not require medical attention.”

After officers located the juvenile, a UTV traveling at a high speed approached a checkpoint on Saddleback Road maintained by CDFW and U.S. Forest Service officers. Officials said the driver of UTV, who they allege was Conway, attempted to run over the two officers then drove south on the road toward Downieville.

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According to the release, a third officer stationed down the road began driving up the hill to block Conway in the UTV.

The vehicles ultimately collided, and as officers attempted to take Conway into custody, he posed a threat to them, which led to an officer-involved shooting, the release said. After he was apprehended, Conway received medical treatment at the scene and was then transported to an area hospital.

Formal charges for Conway have yet to be announced, though the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office anticipate they will be forthcoming, according to the release.

Past court cases

Conway pleaded no contest to a felony vehicle theft charge in the Butte County Superior Court and was given a split sentence Feb. 26 — eight months in jail, which was suspended, and three years of probation, court records show. Conway then allegedly violated his probation in May, before a warrant was issued for his arrest June 10.

Previously, Conway appeared on Butte County’s most wanted Aug. 9, 2019, for a felony warrant charging him with with vandalism, battery and two counts of making terrorist threats.

A slain family man

On the GoFundMe page created for the family, Gershman was described as “an avid bicyclist, a vegetarian, an outdoorsman, an internal medicine doctor, a devoted and loving father and fantastic friend (who) was willing to drop anything for his friends and family. He was witty and wise. He died doing what he loved with his son in an area he had hoped to retire in one day.”

Gershman is survived by his wife, Paige Gershman, and three children. His widow is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer, according to the GoFundMe. The fundraiser, established to help with funeral costs, chemotherapy treatments and doctors appointments, family counseling and daily expenses, has raised nearly $400,000 as of Wednesday morning.

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Responding agencies included the U.S. Forest Service, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Grass Valley Police Department, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, and Yuba counties. Helicopters from the California Highway Patrol, Washoe County (Nevada), and Placer County Sheriff’s Office also assisted during the search.