Felon charged with murder in Danville doctor’s death
The Sierra County district attorney on Monday charged a 40yearold wanted felon with murdering Danville doctor Ari Gershman over the Fourth of July weekend while the father was offroading with his teenage son.
John Thomas Conway, 40, of Honcut (Butte County), was charged with nine felony counts, including murder, attempted murder and burglarizing a gold mine, along with a number of special allegations, according to the criminal complaint.
Conway allegedly shot to death Gershman, 45, and shot and injured two other individuals on July 3 near Downieville using a 9mm Taurus handgun, according to the court records. It is unclear how the felon got the weapon.
Conway has been held without bail in nearby Butte County and appeared Friday in court to face two warrants, one for a stolenvehicle case and another for battery, vandalism and making threats. He also was charged there with a new probation violation for having ammunition at his house on the southern edge of the county.
The new Sierra County charges include attempted murder on two individuals, one who he attempted to rob on July 3, according to court records. He shot and killed Gershman the same day near Poker Flat in the county after the Danville father asked Conway for directions, the family said. His 15yearold son was able to escape and spent 30 hours in the remote wilderness before searchers found him safe.
On July 4, after the boy was located, investigators spotted Conway attempting to bust through a checkpoint in an ATV. At some point, he threatened a law enforcement officer and shots were fired, according to the Sierra County sheriff. Conway was shot and hospitalized in Chico.
On Monday, he was also charged with assault on a peace officer, specifically two fish and wildlife wardens, according to the complaint. Additionally, Conway was charged with burglarizing the Telegraph Mine on July 3 and 4, according to court records.
Sierra County District Attorney Sandra Groven said the investigation was ongoing in a statement and did not respond to questions from The Chronicle.
Gershman bought his Jeep the day before his day trip with his son. The internal medicine doctor’s wife is battling cancer. A fundraising website had raised more than $565,000 as of Monday.