Neither Brad McGowan or Jesse Brown were bad kids. They might have rubbed elbows with some guys who had reputations as troublemakers. They might even have been related to some. But, the lures of alcohol and weed did not necessarily get one pigeonholed as a hoodlum, at least not in 1995. Plenty of good kids were messing around with that stuff.
That's what had brought Brad and Jesse to North Orchard Park on the night of April 15. They wanted to get fucked up and public parks were often the place to do so after the sun went down. The stories differ on what actually went down when 24-year-old Aaron Davis and his girlfriend Julie crossed paths with the intoxicated duo. Aaron and Julie insist that the two had accosted them unprovoked, with the intent of sexually assaulting Julie. After a short tussle, which Aaron claimed to have been able to defuse, the two went on their way, intending to exit the park. Davis then claimed that they were attacked from behind by Brown and McGowan. Davis pulled out his pocket knife and stabbed both assailants, gravely wounding McGowan in the abdomen and killing 17-year-old Jesse Brown.
The Vacaville Police Department was quick to arrive on the scene, as they often were. An assessment of the circumstances had them conclude that Davis had acted in self-defense, with his life, and Julie’s being in immediate danger. The Solano County District Attorney agreed and the stabbings and killing were ruled justifiable. No charges were filed against Davis. This didn't sit well with the friends and family of Jesse Brown.
Word quickly spread back to Aaron Davis that he could be in grave danger. Rumors around town were that his version of the events was skewed and that Jesse did not deserve to die. Jesse also had connections. His cousin, Chris, was not someone to be trifled with. A local tough guy, said to be gang affiliated, he carried a reputation of someone who handled business and would never let the killing of his cousin slide. Davis claimed that he and his family began receiving death threats. So much so, that Davis would go into hiding, even leaving his job after being threatened in person while working. Vacaville was a small city, where everyone knew everyone else. He would live for the next two months constantly looking over both shoulders.
Michael “Sonny” Schairer was one of those who had vowed revenge. Sonny was a good looking guy, as in movie star handsome. His reputation was that of a hooligan with a heart of gold. Not known to be particularly dangerous, he would still never back down from a fight and was extremely popular with girls. He was tight with Jesse Brown’s family, particularly his older cousins.
It is not known if Sonny’s encounter with Aaron Davis on July 19, 1995 was by chance or the result of calculated stalking. Aaron and Julie, while driving down East Monte Vista, noticed a car make a quick U-turn and began following them. The car was being driven by Sonny and was occupied by at least one other man. With high beams on, Sonny tailgated the couple at high speeds, forcing them to blow through several stop signs in an attempt to make an escape.
They were followed all of the way back to within a block of their home, with at one point, Sonny stopping to pick up a large rock and throwing it at their car. Aaron drew a .40 caliber Glock 22 that he had been keeping on hand, just in case of a situation such as this unfolding. He claims to have yelled at Julie to run home, while Sonny approached him, allegedly reaching for his waistband. The two where chased right up to their front door, with Davis repeatedly telling Sonny to back off.
“Are you Aaron Davis?” Sonny asked, still reaching for his hip. Sonny’s last words were, “I’m gonna…” He was shot and killed by Davis with a single bullet to the chest. No gun was found in his waistband.
Aaron was arrested and put on trial for 2nd degree murder. He was facing 25 years to life for what some would call basic self-defense and what the Schairer family called a cold-blooded murder. The trial divided the opinions of the people of Cowtown and would end with Davis’ acquittal. There were wails and threats in the courtroom by Sonny’s supporters, and Davis was, again, given police protection to ensure his safety. Sonny’s father, Michael Sr., was appalled, stating that Davis had been given a license to kill and would most likely be adding more bodies to the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery.
There is no confirmation, but it is highly doubtful that Aaron Davis remained in Vacaville. With two bodies and a world of shit and threats on his head, it would have been the wise move to vacate Cowtown forever.
Michael “Sonny” Schairer
