Samantha Jean Hedger
BARSTOW – San Bernardino County Deputies chased a murder suspect on foot, eventually locating him inside a storm drain early Saturday morning, nearly seven hours after a woman was found dead.
A multiple law enforcement agency team eventually tracked down Joshua Inscho, 23, of Victorville, who was arrested after he reportedly fired a handgun at a party on the 25000 block on Avenida Laredo in Barstow.
It was Incho’s step-sister, Samantha Jean Hedger, 22, of Phelan, who was pronounced dead at the scene, a victim of the shots fired.
Detective Justin Giles and Sgt. David Johnson, investigating the shooting, had determined that Inscho and Hedger went to the party together.
At the party, Inscho got involved in an argument with another man, reportedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at another party goer.
One person grabbed at Inscho, the gun fired and Hedger was fatally struck as a result. While Hedger was suffering from the gunshot, Inscho fled the party in a car.
Emergency personnel responded to the shooting scene, determining that Hedger was unable to survive.
Barstow deputies, along with a Victorville deputy and K9 Raider, plus California Highway Patrol and Specialized Enforcement units searched the area, eventually locating Inscho hiding in a storm drain just after 9 a.m.
He was taken into custody without incident, booked for murder.
Inscho, booked into Victorville jail, has not yet received a court date. Deputies reports did not disclose the nature of the argument that caused Inscho to brandish his handgun.
