A seemingly ordinary visit to a Highland, California, Walmart resulted in tragedy for 59-year-old Jonathan Mauk, a father of three and grandfather of two, on Monday, February 5.
A minor car accident in the store’s parking lot led to Mauk’s fatal shooting. He had visited the store to purchase ingredients for his family’s beef jerky recipe.
While looking for parking, Mauk’s self-assembled 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Supersport unintentionally collided with another car. According to the San Bernardino Police, Mauk approached the other driver, Shawntece Marie Norton, 37, to express his apologies immediately after the incident.
An altercation, with Norton doing all of the yelling, escalated rapidly when Norton retrieved a gun from her car and shot Mauk, who died from his injuries on the spot.
Within 12 hours of the incident, authorities located Norton at a nearby apartment complex. An unregistered firearm, believed to be the weapon used in the shooting, was confiscated during her arrest. Norton faces murder charges with additional penalties for using a firearm, firing a firearm, and inflicting severe physical harm. She has pleaded not guilty and awaits a pre-preliminary hearing in custody.
Mauk’s sudden death has left his family in deep sorrow, recalling his selfless character and the happiness he derived from being a grandfather. His son, Matthew Mauk, shared fond memories of his father’s generosity and a touching letter found after Mauk’s death, underscoring his deep affection for his grandchildren and his readiness to make sacrifices for his family.
The community has rallied around the Mauk family in the wake of the tragedy, raising over $7,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral costs.
