Fugitive Sought In Banning Killing Captured

BANNING, CA — A fugitive suspected of fatally shooting a person in Banning has been captured, police announced late Wednesday.

Jason Anthony Rhine, 43, also known as Jason Valasquez, was taken into custody by Banning police around 3:46 p.m. Wednesday in the 3000 block of Amhurst Drive in Riverside, jail records show.

Rhine was being sought in connection with a Jan. 12 morning shooting at a single-family residence in the 1200 block of San Gorgonio Avenue.

When Banning police arrived, they found one person dead inside the home, and witnesses pointed to Rhine as the shooter.

Rhine fled the area in a gray Kia Optima sedan and was considered armed and dangerous by police, who put a flyer in the hope of catching him.

It's not clear what led police to Rhine, or what the motive for the killing was. The identity of the deceased has not been publicly released.

Banning police detectives along with the Riverside County Gang Impact Team "worked tirelessly conducting this investigation," Banning police said in a news release.

Jail records show Rhine was being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning with no bail set. He is due to appear in court Friday to face a murder charge.