Funeral arrangements are underway for Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Joseph Solano, who died at a hospital after a gunshot wound to the head he suffered in an apparently unprovoked attack at an Alhambra fast-food restaurant. A Utah man, with ties to San Diego, remains in jail suspected of the shooting.
30-year-old Rhett Nelson is seen on security video walking into a Jack in the Box earlier this week, pulling out a handgun and shooting the 50-year-old Solano in the back of the head. Nelson was arrested Tuesday and now law enforcement authorities in several Southern California counties believe he may be behind several other crimes, including armed robberies in the San Diego and a murder in LA. Outside a hospital, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced the news of Solano's death.
"The entire LASD Family has been shaken by the tragic news regarding the senseless and cowardly murder of Deputy Joseph Gilbert Solano," Villanueva said in a statement Wednesday night. Villanueva said he spent time with Solano's family at the hospital and "was able to see firsthand the tremendous impact Deputy Solano had on his family, friends and partners throughout the department." Villanueva went on to praise Solano for being kind-hearted and generous and a provider for his mother and example for his children. "We are a better department because of his selfless service," Villanueva said. "I take comfort knowing the department is compassionately tending to the needs of the Solano family. Please join me in honoring Deputy Solano's memory and keeping his family in our prayers. We appreciate the outpouring of support from everyone. Thank you."
Nelson is suspected of shooting Solano, who was at the counter of the restaurant when he was shot in the back of the head in what sheriff's officials believe was a random attack. Villanueva said Wednesday there's still no indication the shooter knew that Solano -- who was off-duty and not in uniform - was a sheriff's deputy. "The deputy was alerted in the restaurant that someone was following him, and that's when he turned to confront (the person), and that's when the shooting happened," Villanueva said. "That much we do know. But the motive, the rationale from the suspect -- that's the million-dollar question."
Police in San Diego said Nelson is being investigated as a possible suspect in four armed robberies -- and one attempted armed robbery -- at convenience stores in San Diego County between Friday and Sunday. Three of the crimes were in San Diego and the others were in Lemon Grove and Carlsbad.
Nelson is being held without bail.
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