Suspect arrested for attack on white supremacist

FRESNO – The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office announced this week the arrest of a suspect in connection to the April break-in and shooting of a self-proclaimed white supremacist in Squaw Valley.

Deputies arrested Shawn Paul Guerrero, 41, of Miramonte, on May 16 after he was pulled over for a routine traffic stop in Livingston. Police discovered that Guerrero had a warrant out for his arrest on charges relating to the attack on 78-year-old Bill Gaede.

Shawn Paul Guerrero

In the early evening of April 12, Gaede arrived home and was confronted by two armed suspects, one of whom shot him in the lip. Gaede was then restrained and dragged inside the house on Elwood Road.

“The suspects started ransacking his house,” Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said.

Gaede’s son, Wolfgang, was also restrained and ordered to the ground when he entered the home. The men stole guns, $1,200 in cash, and marijuana. Guerrero was positively identified as one of the men involved in the home invasion.

Gaede is a self-proclaimed white supremacist, who gained a certain amount of infamy in Fresno County in 2002 when he cut down the so-called “Madonna Tree” near Avocado Lake. The tree, which was near Gaede’s home, had become a gathering area for people who believed they saw a likeness to Virgin Mary on its surface. Gaede allegedly called it an eyesore and used a chain saw to cut it down.

Mims said that there is no evidence that shows the attack against Gaede was a hate crime.

Guerrero’s bail is set at $2 million. Investigators are still looking for his accomplice, as well as a possible third suspect who may have been driving a getaway vehicle, Mims said. Anyone who has information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP.

Read More:

Fresno Bee: Suspect arrested in wounding of Fresno County white supremacist

KFSN-TV: Man arrested for attack on self-proclaimed white separatist

KSEE24 News: Sheriff Arrests One Man Connected to Home Robbery; Search On For Others