Lucerne Valley- Homicide Investigation Update Suspect Arrested 
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 12, 2014
INCIDENT: Homicide Investigation
LOCATION: 9600 block of Santa Fe Fire Road, Lucerne Valley
VICTIM: John Gonzalez, 50, Lucerne Valley, California
SUSPECT: John Sterling Payton, 49, Lucerne Valley, California
SUMMARY:
***UPDATE June 24, 2014***
On Thursday, June 5, 2014, John Sterling Payton was arrested on a murder warrant in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the murder of Gonzalez. He was extradited back to California on Thursday, June 19, 2014, and booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
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On Monday, May 12, 2014, at about 12:20 p.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department - Victor Valley Station were dispatched to the report of a shooting at the 9600 block of Santa Fe Fire Road, in the city of Lucerne Valley. When deputies arrived they located a male victim deceased on the property. The Sheriff’s Homicide Detail was requested and assumed the investigation. Although the victim has been identified, next of kin have not been located. His identification will be withheld until proper notification is made.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Homicide Detail, Detective Joseph Janowicz or Sergeant Chris Fisher at (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Public Affairs
Phone No.: (909) 387-3700
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Victor Valley Sheriff's Department
11613 Bartlett Ave
Adelanto, CA 92301
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1