Joseph Gilbert Solano, a 50-year-old deputy for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, tragically lost his life on June 12, 2019, after being shot in Alhambra, California. Solano was off-duty and had just finished running an errand for his mother when he decided to grab a meal at a Jack in the Box restaurant on West Valley Boulevard. While waiting for his food, a man wearing sunglasses and a fedora approached him from behind and shot him in the head.
Solano was immediately taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he was placed on life support. Despite the medical team's efforts, he succumbed to his injuries two days later, surrounded by his family and fellow officers.
The suspect in Solano's murder was identified as Rhett McKenzie Nelson, a 30-year-old man from St. George, Utah. Nelson had been reported missing by his family prior to the incident. On the day following the shooting, Nelson called his father in Utah and confessed to committing two murders in Southern California. Alarmed, Nelson's father contacted the Long Beach Police Department, which led to Nelson's arrest. He was found driving a Kia Sorrento that matched the description of the vehicle used in the shootings. Inside the vehicle, police discovered the clothing and revolver used in the attack on Solano.
Nelson was also linked to another fatal shooting that occurred just an hour before Solano's murder. Dmitry Alekseyevich Kolstov, a 30-year-old Russian snowboarding champion, was killed in downtown Los Angeles after a brief verbal exchange with Nelson. The similarities in the suspect's clothing and vehicle in both incidents helped investigators connect the two crimes. Nelson faced multiple charges, including murder, for his actions.
The investigation into Solano's death revealed no clear motive for the shooting. Nelson's actions appeared random and senseless, leaving the community and law enforcement officials searching for answers. Solano was remembered as a dedicated officer, a loving father, and a kind-hearted individual who was well-respected by his colleagues and the community he served. His death highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers, even when off-duty, and underscored the importance of vigilance and community support in preventing such tragedies.
