PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Aug. 1, 2025 —
A potentially deadly situation was narrowly avoided Thursday morning in Placerville after a vigilant resident spotted an armed man and promptly alerted police.
At 7:32 a.m. on July 31, a local citizen observed a man acting suspiciously near the intersection of Main and Turner Streets, appearing to carry a firearm. The resident called 911, providing dispatchers with a detailed description of the suspect’s clothing and location. Thanks to that quick report, officers with the Placerville Police Department arrived within minutes.
Responding officers found Jesse Wayne Parrish, 49, of Placerville, walking near a business on Turner Street with a loaded shotgun. According to police, officers safely detained Parrish without incident and recovered the firearm on the scene.
Parrish was booked into the El Dorado County Jail at 12:00 a.m. and remains in custody. Charges filed against him include:
Assault with a firearm on a person (Penal Code 245(a)(2))
Burglary/breaking and entering (Penal Code 459)
Vandalism over $400 (Penal Code 594(b)(1))
Carrying a loaded firearm in public (Penal Code 25850(a))
Driving under the influence of alcohol (Vehicle Code 23152(a))
His total bail was set at $275,000. The original arrest was recorded at 8:39 a.m. at 3064 Turner Street.
“Thanks to the alert actions of a local resident, our officers were able to intervene quickly and prevent what could have been a very dangerous outcome,” said Placerville Police Chief Joe Wren in a brief statement Friday. “This is exactly the kind of community awareness and cooperation that helps keep our city safe.”
As of press time, Parrish remains in custody and awaits formal arraignment. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive or whether the targeted business was known to the suspect.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Placerville Police Department at (530) 642-5210.
