LODI – The tragic shooting death of 53-year-old Felix Makinano, a homeless man known in the community, has left residents and his family searching for answers. The accused shooter, 39-year-old Scott Sherman, is currently facing murder, weapon, and drug charges in relation to the incident.
Felix Makinano, a father of two, worked closely with the Salvation Army in the past. He later worked odd jobs to make ends meet after falling on challenging times. Described as a perennially cheerful and friendly man by an anonymous community member, the sudden and violent nature of his death has left many in shock.
On the morning of the incident, police officers responded to reports of gunshots on School Street, where they discovered Makinano with gunshot wounds. Not long after, detectives located Scott Sherman at his residence a block away, as relayed by his defense attorney, Allen Sawyer.
Sawyer is of the belief that the case is a clear matter of self-defense. He contends, "Scott will come out as being a person who reacted to a situation where he believed his or someone else's life was endangered."
The victim's family and friends, however, are dubious about the self-defense claims. Several pointed out that Makinano had previously been accused of getting too close to Sherman's car, suggesting a potential prior dispute. The victim's brother, Anthony Makinano, expressed confusion about the circumstances, questioning how Sherman could claim self-defense "when he was the one [who] pursued the whole…" He further noted that Sherman had reportedly been kicked out of a bar on the evening of the incident.
The drug charges levied against Sherman have also been a subject of contention. While Sawyer claims the drug involved was marijuana, local police have declined to confirm this assertion.
In a twist, a woman was initially arrested in relation to the case and faced charges similar to Sherman's, but these were dropped after she was ruled out as being involved.
Adding to the intrigue, some details remain murky, such as the true owner and tenant of the apartment unit SWAT entered, as well as the nature of the relationship, if any, between Makinano and Sherman.
Sawyer, advocating for his client, highlighted Sherman's notable past. "He's retired from the military, honorably. He's a successful businessman and realtor. He deserves the presumption of innocence, especially given his demonstrated good character."
The incident has left the community grappling with grief and uncertainty. As the legal process unfolds, many hope that clarity and justice will prevail.