A police cruiser. Photo by John Schreiber.
A man who allegedly shot and killed his ex-girlfriend in Banning late last month and a man who died weeks later in a hospital was in custody Wednesday following a month on the lam.
Kris Kenny, 44, of San Bernardino, allegedly shot 37-year-old Shanetta Dixon on Dec. 29 at her home on East Hoffer Street. She died at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning.
The second victim, Francisco Sanchez, also lived at the home, as did Dixon’s mother, authorities said. Police say Sanchez recently died after spending several weeks hospitalized in a medically induced coma.
Kenny was arrested in Rialto Tuesday by a U.S. Marshals Task Force. After being seen, he allegedly fled from authorities following a chase and search of the surrounding area, according to a statement from the Banning Police Department. Authorities caught up with him somewhere on Eucalyptus Avenue, jail records show.
He’s currently being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $1 million bail.
Prosecutors charged Kenny earlier this month with Dixon’s murder, the attempted murder of Sanchez, and a sentence-enhancing allegation of lying in wait, which could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted. A decision on whether to pursue capital punishment is pending.
A second murder charge is expected to be filed following Sanchez’s death.
Kenny and Dixon dated for five years before their relationship ended about six months prior to the shooting, according to an arrest warrant declaration prepared by a Banning police detective.
On Dec. 29, he called Dixon’s mother and requested to speak with Dixon because he said “he found out he had cancer and it had spread to both of his lungs, and he wanted to let Dixon know,” according to the declaration, which says he showed up at the Hoffer Street home about 10 minutes later.
Dixon’s mother told police that she briefly spoke with him and prayed with him before telling him he should leave. He then asked her for water and something to eat, and as she was in the kitchen preparing him food, he went to her daughter’s room and shot her multiple times, the declaration alleges.
Dixon’s mother heard gunshots and her daughter screaming, then saw Kenny walking out with a handgun while telling her “move Mom, move,” according to the document.
Sanchez, who was in another bedroom of the home, walked out of his room to see what was happening and was shot, according to the declaration. Police arrived to find Sanchez suffering from “major wounds” but awake and on his knees. He was able to identify Kenny as the alleged shooter, the declaration says.
Kenny is expected to make his initial court appearance on Thursday.
–City News Service
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