RIVERSIDE: 50-year-old bicyclist shot after refusing to give man money

RIVERSIDE — Officials are investigating the shooting of a 50-year-old bicyclist who was shot after refusing to give another man money, Monday evening, Nov. 13. The shooting happened on the 4000 block of Tyler Street, between Wells and Van Buren Boulevards, in Riverside.

Riverside Police and Fire personnel responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Tyler Street and Cook Avenue at 9:41 p.m., after multiple nearby residents called 911 to report hearing a single gun shot followed by a man yelling for help.

When officials arrived they located the victim suffering from a single gunshot wound to the left leg, according to Riverside Police Lt. Hoxmeier.

American Medical Response medics transported the victim to an area hospital by ground ambulance for further evaluation and treatment of his gunshot wound. His injury was considered non-life-threatening.

After the victim was transported to a hospital and while officers conducted their investigation, the man’s bright yellow mountain bike, shoes and various other personal items were left scattered along the side of the road where he fell after being shot.

Officials later documented, photographed and collected the various items as evidence.

As the investigation got underway, additional officers converged on the area to assist in searching for the alleged suspect.

A Riverside PD aviation crew in one of the department’s helicopters, “Air-1,” assisted with the search and they were seen circling over several neighborhoods near where the shooting happened.

Police who investigated the shooting determined the 50-year-old victim was riding his bike northbound on Tyler Street along the south curb when another man approached him on foot.

The suspect, who has not been located or identified, reportedly demanded money from the bicyclist. When the victim refused to give the suspect money the man fired a gun at him, striking him in the left leg.

After shooting the victim, the suspect fled the area on foot.

Officials did not provide any description of the suspect or any other information regarding the incident.

 

During their investigation officers, who could be seen scouring the area for additional evidence, called for the temporary closure of Tyler Street between California and Cook Avenues. The road was later re-opened to normal traffic.

Police have not announced any arrests related to the shooting and their investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident or who witnessed the shooting is encouraged to contact Riverside Police officials at (951) 826-5700. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor 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, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.