RPD In Motion...

Evidence links man, shootings

RICHMOND: Police say sufficient cause exists to arrest suspect
By Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Police seek a parolee whom they say shot and killed 30-year-old Travolas Johnson last week in a south Richmond yard.

Detectives found evidence linking 27-year-old Lashoun Jule Schexnayder to the early-morning assault on June 29.

"There is sufficient probable cause to arrest him for the murder," Detective Steve Harris said. "We believe Schexnayder shot Johnson."

Johnson's death, near the corner of South 4th Street and Florida Avenue, capped a four-hour spate of shootings in and around the city's Santa Fe neighborhood the night of June 28 and early June 29.

Police said last week that some of the shootings appeared related, but did not clarify further. . Harris said he could not discuss the motive in Johnson's death, nor the relationship between victim and suspect.

Schexnayder is a parolee-at-large with a drug conviction. He has social connections in both Richmond and Sacramento, police said.

Officers found Johnson's body behind the gate of a side yard on the 200 block of South 4th Street about 3:15 a.m. after a neighbor called about hearing gunshots.

Seeing nothing at first, the officers walked the block until they spotted T-shirts lying on the sidewalk and front lawn of the house, leading them to the shooting scene.

Police said it looked as if someone chased Johnson into the yard. The house was vacant.
It was the 17th homicide reported this year in Richmond, and the first in the Santa Fe neighborhood. Police had investigated 20 killings by this time last year.

Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@cctimes.com.

HOW TO HELP
Police ask anyone with information about the June 29 killing of Travolas Johnson to call Detective Steve Harris at 510-620-6628.