Ari Gershman was a 45-year-old pulmonary doctor from Danville, California, who was shot and killed on July 3, 2020, near Downieville while off-roading in the Tahoe National Forest with his teenage son, Jack. The pair stopped to ask for directions after encountering John T. Conway, a 40-year-old fugitive from Oroville, and Conway opened fire. Gershman was struck and died shortly after; his son escaped into the forest and spent the night alone before being rescued the next day.

John T. Conway was arrested after a high-speed chase and an exchange of gunfire with officers and was charged by the Sierra County District Attorney with nine felony counts, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. Conway was a wanted fugitive in Butte County at the time for felony vehicle theft and had prior charges including vandalism, battery, reckless driving, and resisting arrest; investigators say he also faced charges for the attempted murder of two other people in a separate incident that same day. No clear motive for the attack has been identified.

Gershman’s wife, Paige, was undergoing chemotherapy at the time; a GoFundMe was set up to support the family. If anyone has information about the events near Downieville on July 3, 2020, please come forward.