A former VA Loma Linda Healthcare System employee was arrested out of state Wednesday for the apparent work-related slaying of supply manager Joshua Watson, who was stabbed to death at his Rancho Cucamonga home last month, according to authorities.
Paul Warren, who lives in the Mira Loma neighborhood of Jurupa Valley, was taken into custody Monday by police in Philadelphia, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
Philadelphia police could not be reached for comment.
Warren, 58, remained in custody in a Philadelphia jail on Wednesday, Dec. 11, pending extradition to California.
The Sheriff’s Department said it did not know why Warren was in Philadelphia. However, public records indicate he has relatives in the city.
Watson, a 43-year-old former Marine, was killed by a male assailant when he arrived at his residence in the 13100 block of Joliet Drive on the evening of Nov. 25, the Sheriff’s Department said. The attacker fled before before deputies arrived.
Charging documents filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office allege Warren used a knife to kill Watson, and that the slaying indicated “planning, sophistication or professionalism.”
Warren is also suspected of using his position of trust or confidence to carry out the crime.
Confirming the fears of VA Loma Linda employees who believed Watson could have been targeted by a former employee with a grudge, the Sheriff’s Department said the killing appeared to be work-related but did not elaborate on the specific motive.
Watson joined VA Loma Linda in June 2022 and had been its chief supply chain officer for about three months, according to his LinkedIn profile.
A VA Loma employee said Wednesday they were pleased with Warren’s arrest and suspected all along that Watson’s killing was connected to his job.
“I’m very happy he’s arrested but still scared,” said the employee, who asked not to be identified because they fear retaliation and are not authorized to speak about the issue. “The VA fires people unfairly all the time. I’ve seen unfair treatment all the time so I can understand employees going postal in the VA.”
Warren no longer works at the VA, said Stephen K. Robinson, a spokesperson for the agency, who declined to elaborate on the suspect’s previous job duties.
Warren worked at VA Loma Linda at least since 2015, most recently in the Logistics Department as an inventory supply specialist, according to federal pay records. He was paid $64,879 in 2023, the records show.
It was unclear when Warren would be returned to California for arraignment in San Bernardino County Superior Court.