Jeffery Martin, Newsweek, September 17, 2019

A man is in jail on a $1 million bond for allegedly killing a good Samaritan who stopped to help after a traffic accident.

Lionel Eaton, 27, has been charged with the murder of 31-year-old Javier Sanmiguel. Sanmiguel heard a car crash outside his home and ran outside to help. Witnesses say Eaton was hiding in the back of the wrecked car and began firing at neighbors when they attempted to open the door.

Police found a Smith and Wesson handgun and magazine in the driver’s seat of the Ford Escape Eaton was driving. The police complaint states there were also multiple casings near the cargo area of the vehicle. Eaton told officers that he does not own a gun and that someone gave him the weapon earlier in the evening.

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{snip} According to police, Eaton claimed to have been rammed by another vehicle, hitting his head. He believed he heard gunshots, panicked and began firing randomly.

Eaton is charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of third-degree murder. According to his paralegal, Kristi Testa, Eaton plans to plead not guilty to the charges. Bail for Eaton was set at $1 million. His next appearance in court is currently set for October 4.

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