Paralyzed, wheelchair-bound Irvine man allegedly killed by former caregiver: 'No chance to run away'
IRVINE, Calif. - An investigation continues to unfold after police shot and killed a homicide suspect near an Irvine home where a body was found inside.
Around 2:15 a.m. Monday, Irvine Police Department officers responded after someone made a 911 medical aid call at a home along Whistling Swan and Wetstone, off Barranca Parkway in the Woodbridge neighborhood. Arriving officers discovered a victim inside the home who was declared dead at the scene.
The victim was identified as 38-year-old John Alexander Bash III.
John Bash (Photo provided by loved ones)
"He had no chance to run away," said Lindsey Myers who spoke with FOX 11 at the homicide scene. Myers said his brother-in-law was disabled from the waist down and said the suspect was a former caregiver.
Investigators found an unoccupied gold Honda minivan that had collided with the garage door.
"Me and my sister woke up. My sister heard the minivan that crashed into the car…that startled her," said Andrea Valdespino, who lives across the street from the crash site.
The victim, who used a wheelchair for mobility, was found deceased from apparent stab wounds. A caregiver at the residence discovered Bash bloody and unresponsive and called 911.
About an hour later, officers contacted the suspect nearby on foot. Officers said the suspect was armed with a knife. During the exchange, the suspect raised the knife and advanced toward an officer, leading to an officer-involved shooting. The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Aaron Matthew Shindle, a former resident of Tampa, Florida, was transported to a local hospital in grave condition, where he later died. A knife was recovered at the scene.
Side-by-side image released by Irvine police shows the Honda minivan that collided with the garage door and the alleged weapon used to kill John Alexander Bash III.
Myers also noted, "Murder in and of itself is sad, but murder of a defenseless person is just completely devastating. My brother-in-law had no chance to escape. He was just stuck there, and whatever the perpetrator wanted to do, they could have their will with him."
Investigators said Shindle, a former caregiver for Bash, is believed to have driven the minivan that crashed into the house and killed the victim. Detectives do not believe there are any additional suspects and are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.
Officials said this type of incident is a rare occurrence in the neighborhood.
"Definitely unique for Irvine. We’re a very safe city," said Kyle Oldoerp, spokesperson for Irvine PD.
"We’re a little shocked that something like this would happen in our neighborhood. For Irvine, it’s a big deal because nothing ever happens here really," said Irvine resident Ron Blakeslee.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who has information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Rebecca Steen at 949-724-7170 or email rsteen@cityofirvine.org.