Benjamin Johnson, a 34-year-old resident of Banning, California, tragically lost his life on September 26, 2015, during a violent crime spree that shook the community. The incident began around 11:36 a.m. when Banning police responded to a call of shots fired in the 700 block of East John Street. Johnson was one of the victims found in a vehicle; he had been fatally shot.
The suspect, identified as James Paul Diaz, allegedly carried out a series of attacks that day, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. Diaz, a 34-year-old resident of Hemet, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder, among other charges.
The crime spree continued with Diaz reportedly shooting at another vehicle near the intersection of San Gorgonio Avenue and Nicolet Street, causing minor injuries to the driver from broken glass. Shortly after, Diaz assaulted a man at an AM/PM gas station using a blunt object. The victim, who was beaten while sitting in his parked car, was treated at a hospital and later released. Diaz's rampage did not stop there; he proceeded to shoot and kill Benjamin Johnson as Johnson drove on East Lincoln Street. Johnson's vehicle crashed into a cement wall following the shooting.
Authorities quickly disseminated a description of Diaz and his vehicle, a white SUV, to other police agencies. Diaz was eventually apprehended in Beaumont after attempting to break into a vehicle and knocking on doors in search of his children. The motive behind Diaz's actions remains unclear, but witnesses reported that he repeatedly asked strangers about the whereabouts of his children during the attacks. Diaz faces multiple charges, including two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and several other related offenses.
The community of Banning was left in shock and mourning following the violent events of that day. The investigation into the motive behind Diaz's crime spree is ongoing, with authorities piecing together the sequence of events and gathering evidence to support the charges against him. The tragic loss of Benjamin Johnson and the other victims has had a profound impact on their families and the local community, highlighting the devastating consequences of such senseless violence.
