YUCCA VALLEY MAN ARRESTED AFTER SHOOTING DURING CAR CHASE

A Yucca Valley man was arrested at gunpoint Wednesday after his ex-girlfriend said he was shooting at her during a car chase. Sheriff’s deputies were called to Buena Vista and Indio Avenue in Yucca Valley at 11:46 a.m. for a report of shots fired. According to Sheriff’s Sergeant Matt Yost, the woman had been arguing with James Gagnon, 36; when he began hitting her and pulling her hair, the woman called a friend to come get her. When the friend arrived, the woman and her friend left in a brown Dodge Durango. Gagnon gave chase in his gray Ford Ranger, and fired three shots with a handgun at their Durango, hitting it once. The victims managed to lose Gagnon in the dirt roads and called 911. Yost said Gagnon then parked his truck near a black and red Scion near Paxton and Balsa Avenues and jumped into the Scion. According to Yost, the three people in the Scion knew Gagnon, but they said they told him to get out of their car. Just then, at 11:53 a.m., deputies arrived and ordered everyone out of the Scion at gunpoint. Yost said the gun—which was determined to be stolen—was found inside the Scion car. James Gagnon was arrested for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon, violating his parole, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was booked at the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $50,000. No one was injured during the incident.