UPDATED: SAN JACINTO: Suspect who shot victim “multiple times” identified, arrested
UPDATE: March 24, 6 p.m. (See original story, photographs and video below)
SAN JACINTO – Sheriff’s officials have provided additional information regarding an argument that escalated into a shooting Thursday, March 23.
The shooting, which left a 35-year-old victim with major injuries, happened at the Mountain View Garden Apartments at 850 E. Main Street in San Jacinto.
At the end of their investigation, sheriff’s officials arrested Kendrick O’Neill Ayala, 26, of San Jacinto. He was later booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Sergeant Robert Duckett explained in a written press release the day after the shooting.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station responded to the apartment complex about 5:34 p.m., after receiving a 911 call reporting shots fired at the location.
“Officers from the San Jacinto Police Department, Hemet Sheriff’s deputies and officers from the Hemet Police Department responded to the location,” Duckett wrote.
When they arrived, authorities located the 35-year-old male, suffering from several gun shot wounds.
“(The victim) had been shot multiple times,” Duckett explained.
Firefighter/paramedics treated the victim, who officials have not named, before AMR medics transported the man to a nearby hospital. He was evaluated and treated for “non-life threatening gunshot wounds,” according to Duckett.
Sheriff’s officials investigated the shooting and determined an argument preceded the shooting incident.
“There was a verbal argument between the victim and Ayala prior to the shooting taking place,” Duckett explained.
Sheriff’s officials recovered a firearm at the scene and collected the weapon as evidence.
The investigation into the shooting is active and ongoing.
An online jail records search revealed Ayala was released from jail the same day he was arrested, after he posted $25,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at an unspecified court May 19.
Anyone with additional information about this incident or who witnessed the shooting is encouraged to contact Investigators Porrazzo or Janecka at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station (951) 791-3400. Callers can refer to incident file number I170820075 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
ORIGINAL STORY
SAN JACINTO – Details are still emerging after a man was shot and a suspect in the shooting was arrested after a disturbance at an apartment complex Thursday, March 23. The shooting happened at the Mountain View Garden Apartments at 850 E. Main Street in San Jacinto.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the area about 5:34 p.m., after being notified about multiple shots being fired at the complex.
When they arrived, deputies located both the victim and the suspect at the scene.
The alleged suspect, who officials have not yet publicly identified, was apprehended at the scene.
It was not immediately known what charges the alleged shooter might be facing; however, a press release is expected to be released from the department soon.
During a preliminary investigation, deputies determined the shooting was preceded by an argument. Sheriff’s officials have not yet disclosed the nature of the argument or its connection to tonight’s shooting.
The shooting victim was transported to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley with unknown injuries. According to multiple sources, he was shot at least twice.
While investigating the shooting, deputies and investigators requested additional resources to the scene due to large crowds that began to gather in the area after word about the shooting spread throughout the neighborhood.
Investigators from the San Jacinto Police Station responded to the location and assumed the investigation. They were assisted by crime scene investigators from the department’s Forensic Services Bureau.
Anyone with information related to this shooting or who witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact San Jacinto police officials at (951) 654-2702. Callers can remain anonymous.
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John Strangis video
This is a developing story. Additional information will be updated as it becomes available.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.
This crap is getting crazier and crazier like people just don’t know how to control their anger what is it that you just want to take people out of this world