Brookhaven Man Arrested in Murder-for-Hire Plot Tied to California Killing

A Brookhaven man has been arrested in connection with a multi-state homicide investigation tied to a murder-for-hire plot in California.

On March 20, 2026, the Brookhaven Police Department, working alongside the Murrieta Police Department in Murrieta, CA, and several law enforcement partners, announced the arrest of 34-year-old Jerry E. Wheeler.

Wheeler was taken into custody on March 18 after officers executed a search warrant at an apartment complex in the 1700 block of Briarwood Road. North Metro SWAT assisted in securing the scene. Authorities said Wheeler was arrested without incident.

Investigators say Wheeler is wanted in connection with the January 13, 2026 killing of 30-year-old Aaron “A.J.” Jacob Parr in Murrieta, California. Police allege the homicide was a planned murder-for-hire.

Wheeler is one of four suspects identified in the case. Two suspects, Ignacia Perkins and James Petri, were arrested in January, while a third suspect, Kenneth Maxwell, was taken into custody on March 18 in Alabama with assistance from the FBI.

Wheeler is facing charges including murder, murder for financial gain, and conspiracy to commit murder. He is being held pending extradition to California.

Authorities say the investigation remains active.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Murrieta Police Detective Leitch at 951-461-6353 or visit murrietapolice.org.