A man accused of a mass shooting that took place in Sierra County in 2020 has entered a plea in court. John Thomas Conway appeared before the Sierra Superior Court on March 7th, 2023, to face charges filed by the Sierra County District’s Attorney Office in conjunction with the California Attorney General’s Office.
The incident occurred on July 3rd, 2020, when Mr. Conway traveled to a remote area of Sierra County, Poker Flat. Without provocation, he shot three individuals while in a stolen side-by-side. Two were severely wounded, and one victim lost their life. A juvenile who escaped the attack was later found unharmed but distressed, spending the night alone in the mountains.
Following the report of the shootings, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a massive law enforcement response to the area where the shooter was last seen. Responding agencies included U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, California Highway Patrol, California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Grass Valley Police Department, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, and Yuba counties. Helicopters from the California Highway Patrol, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and Placer County Sheriff’s Office also provided assistance throughout the incident.
The following day, two Fish and Wildlife Wardens maintaining a checkpoint in the area of Saddleback Road and Eureka Mine Road came across Mr. Conway in the stolen side-by-side. Despite commands to stop, Mr. Conway swerved in an attempt to injure the wardens, leading to a vehicle pursuit.
And it didn’t end there; Conway attempted to flee on foot after a collision, he was shot by a Warden. Mr. Conway was taken to Enloe Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. The Office of the Attorney General assisted the Sierra County District’s Attorney’s office in prosecuting this matter through a preliminary hearing, a motion to dismiss, and two competency trials.
The outcome of these trials led to Conway’s entry of a plea, including second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, and two counts of assault on the Fish and Wildlife Wardens. Conway has been in custody since July 4th, 2020, and is currently being housed at the Nevada County Jail in Nevada City.
Mr. Conway is set to be sentenced on May 16th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in the Sierra Superior Court. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office and the Sierra County District’s Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude for the collaboration of multiple agencies that led to Conway’s arrest and prosecution.
