Man arrested in connection with California pastor’s shooting death

Joel Martin Dukes III, a 22-year-old Ramona man, was arrested Friday in connection with the shooting death of Ramona Pastor Felipe Ascencio earlier this month, officials said.

Ramona sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a shooting about 2:35 p.m. Sept. 7 at a home in the 700 block of Eighth Street in Ramona. They found Ascencio, pastor of Templo Mount Horeb and a father of two, inside the home suffering from a gunshot wound, officials said. 

Paramedics were sent to the scene, but Ascencio died at the home from his injuries.

Dukes was arrested on suspicion of murder, according to a statement from sheriff’s officials.

Sheriff’s homicide detectives are conducting an investigation, interviewing witnesses and gathering more evidence, officials said. The motivation and circumstances of the crime are still under investigation.  

“Based on information gathered so far, this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no danger to the community,” the statement said.

“The San Diego Sheriff’s Office extends our sympathies to the Ascencio family and all those affected by this tragic event.”

Gabriela Ledezma has started a Go Fund Me Page for Ascencio’s wife, Abigail, and two children at www.gofundme.com/f/help-abigails-family-in-their-time-of-loss.

“In this very difficult time for my family, I am reaching out with a heavy heart on behalf of my sister, Abigail,” Ledezma wrote. “She has suffered the heartbreaking loss of her beloved husband, Felipe — a devoted father of two and pastor of Mount Horeb Church here in Ramona.”

As of Sunday afternoon the fund had raised $34,657 of its $35,000 goal.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330/after hours at 858-565-5200. Callers to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 can remain anonymous.