Hemet Man Arrested After Woman Dies In Accidental Shooting

HEMET, CA — A Hemet man was jailed Friday after a gun he was disassembling in his garage went off, striking and injuring an elderly woman, authorities said.

According to a news release from police, 37-year-old John Jowkar had been disassembling several firearms in his garage when one accidentally fired.

When first responders arrived at the scene of the incident, an elderly woman was found to be suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to Hemet Valley Hospital where she died.

Jowkar was arrested and taken to Riverside County Jail on charges of possession of a loaded firearm while under the influence, possession of a loaded firearm and a controlled substance, addicted person in possession of a loaded firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm.

Jowkar was held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Hemet's Detective Troncale at (951) 765-2433. Tips can also be submitted through the Hemet PD smartphone app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.