A Fullerton man has been sentenced to 100 years to life in prison after he opened fire on three people in Santa Ana, wounding one, while being on parole and subject to GPS monitoring.
Johnell Jackson, 40, is a third-striker and twice-convicted rapist who was convicted in June of three counts each of the following felonies:
- Attempted murder
- Enhancement of attempted premeditated murder
- Enhancement of discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury
He also was convicted on a count of discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release that on Feb. 18, 2024, Jackson drove two acquaintances to the 99 Cents Only store on Main Street.
Once in the parking lot, Jackson got into an argument with the driver of a vehicle parked nearby. As the other vehicle drove away with two passengers inside, Jackson shot four or five times, with one round striking the front passenger.
The Orange County Register reports that the victim “suffered a through-and-through gunshot wound to his left forearm.”
“Police used Jackson’s GPS monitor to locate him at a nearby hotel, where he was found in possession of two guns and arrested,” authorities said.
Prosecutors also received help from Jackson’s brother, the Register added.
“About five hours after the shooting, the defendant’s brother flagged down a Buena Park police officer and said he was in the car with Jackson during the incident, prosecutors said,” the Register explained.
Jackson was sentenced to four consecutive 25-years-to-life sentences, three for attempted murder and one for wounding the victim.
“The violence Johnell Jackson has engaged in throughout his life is exactly why California voters supported Three Strikes to keep the state’s most violent criminals behind bars where they belong,” said District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “We are grateful that Judge Schwarm exercised his discretion to protect the public and these victims from continuing to be victimized by someone who knew he was being monitored by law enforcement and opened fire on a moving vehicle anyway. Orange County is safer with Johnell Jackson off our streets and behind bars.”
According to the California Megan’s Law website, Jackson was previously convicted of rape by force or fear in 2015 and released in 2020.
