3 SJ Valley men arrested for 2017 murder of Perris man – shot while sitting inside his home

PERRIS — Since the day 43-year-old, Curtis McDaniel, was fatally shot in the neck while sitting inside his Perris home last September, his mother, Wanda Harris, has prayed for the arrest of those responsible for her son’s senseless and tragic death.

Harris’ prayers were answered last Tuesday when Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit investigators arrested three men for their alleged involvement in McDaniel’s murder.

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Harris has said she will never forget the moment she learned a bullet had pierced the home’s screen door – hitting McDaniel in the neck – while he was sitting inside his Raven Hollow Dr. home. He lived at the residence with his girlfriend, children and a grandchild.

McDaniel died five days later at Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley after he was taken off life support.

“He was minding his own business,” Harris told Press Enterprise at the time. “I’m hoping somebody, if they know something, will speak up.”

Deputies assigned to the Perris Police Station were dispatched to Raven Hollow Dr. Sept. 16, around 10:15 p.m., after receiving reports of shots fired in the neighborhood, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Walter Mendez explained today.

Deputies eventually located McDaniel shot and critically injured inside his home. AMR medics rushed the mortally wounded man to RUHS, where he succumbed to his injuries and died Sept. 21.

Based on the circumstances, Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit and Perris Station investigators assumed the investigation.

Hemet residents Jevante Terrell Stewart, 23, and Dameontae Wright-Patterson, 19, and Lonzo Lee Ford III, 20, of San Jacinto, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in last September’s murder of 43-year-old, Curtis McDaniel, who was shot in the neck while sitting inside his Perris home. RSO booking photos

Following ten months of extensive investigating, sheriff’s officials arrested Lonzo Lee Ford III, 20, of San Jacinto, and Hemet residents Jevante Terrell Stewart, 23, and Dameontae Wright-Patterson, 19.

Jail and Superior Court records show all three men had prior brushes with law enforcement and each of the trio have been arrested numerous times.

Jail records indicate Ford was arrested by Hemet PD May 5 and booked into jail on suspicion of murder with malice, attempted murder with malice, attempted murder, two counts of discharging a weapon resulting in great bodily injury, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a felon in possession of ammunition, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property, committing a felony while out on bail, and three counts of violation of probation, as well as numerous enhancements. He remains in custody on $4.13 million bail.

Stewart was arrested July 21, in Las Vegas NV, and he was later booked on suspicion of murder with malice, being a felon in possession of a firearm, violation of parole, prior prison enhancements, and other charges. He remains in custody on $1 million bail.

Wright-Patterson was arrested July 26 at Wasco State prison where he was serving time for another crime. He remains in custody on $1 million bail.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Investigator Anthony Johnson of the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit at (760) 393-3502. Callers can refer to incident file number PE172590111 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.