‘Junebug’ Ray survived a 1993 shooting. Now, Sacramento police have reopened case as a homicide

Whoever shot Joseph “Junebug” Ray in the early morning of May 27, 1993, in Sacramento did not kill him. Twenty-five years later, however, police want the shooter for homicide.

The 1993 Del Paso Heights shooting left Ray paralyzed from the waist down and in need of a wheelchair, according to Sacramento police. He lived for another quarter-century after the shooting, but in October, Ray died from his injuries, and police have reopened the case as a homicide.

On that morning in 1993, two witnesses standing at the corner of Roanoke Avenue and Clarkson Court, near Grant High School, saw the shooting. Police said a brown, four-door sedan drove down Roanoke until it reached Clarkson. There, several shots were fired from vehicle, bullets striking Ray. The car drove away, but not before the witnesses observed three male adults inside, according to police.

An investigation into the shooting began in 1993. Detectives at the time had information indicating Ray had had problems with someone earlier that night. Investigators said someone named “Chief” was involved. However, the investigation was closed and there is little information regarding the case.

Detectives are hoping someone with information related to the homicide will come forward. The case is on this week’s most-wanted fugitives list. Crime Stoppers is providing a cash reward to those who provide information leading to an arrest.

If you have any information, call (800) 222-7463, or report online at CrimeAlert.org.

This story was originally published December 12, 2018 at 10:22 AM.