Stabbed in neck at Riverside-Downtown Metro station, 69-year-old in critical condition – suspect arrested
RIVERSIDE — Authorities investigating the stabbing of an elderly man Sunday morning, Sept. 23, at Riverside-Downtown Metrolink station located and arrested this morning a transient they allege was responsible for the attempted murder.
After being stabbed in the neck the victim, described only as a 69-year-old male, underwent surgery and is reportedly in critical but stable condition. (See original and updated stories here.)
Yesterday’s investigation caused the several-hour closure of the train station and rail authorities later offered reimbursements for commuters affected by the closure and delays.
LEADING THE RCNS HEADLINES:
Teen suffers “partial amputation,” airlifted from Camp Ronald McDonald for cancer victims
Girl celebrating Quinceañera suffers major injuries, horse killed, after hit by speeding car
Riverside PD later located and arrested 36-year-old, Raymond Demetrius Bonner, about ten miles from the train station, on Graham St. in Moreno Valley.
He was eventually booked into Riverside’s Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody on $1 million bail.
Riverside PD released security footage that showed the alleged suspect approaching the victim, while holding a knife behind his back, just before the violent stabbing. RPD image
City of Riverside Police and Fire Departments along with other emergency personnel were dispatched to the train station about 8:15 a.m., after receiving reports of a stabbing that had just occurred, RPD spokesperson Officer Ryan Railsback later explained.
When officials arrived they found the elderly victim suffering from a stab wound to his neck. He was rushed to an area hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
During their preliminary on-scene investigation officers obtained security footage of the violent and “completely unprovoked” attack that happened on the platform of the station.
The footage released by RPD showed Bonner approach the elderly victim, who had been dropped off at the station by a friend and was waiting to catch a train into Orange County.
In the video Bonner can be seen holding a knife in his hand, hidden behind his back as he approached the senior.
“After a brief verbal exchange, the suspect … stabbed the victim in the neck area,” RPD later explained.
After the stabbing, Bonner fled the area on foot, and was last seen running northbound along the railroad tracks.
Bleeding profusely and losing consciousness, the victim managed to stumble from the station platform out to the car driven by the friend who had dropped him off. The woman later said she frantically called 911 while trying to help her friend, who had collapsed just outside her car.
Pools of blood could later be seen outside the woman’s car along with medical debris, left behind after paramedics rushed the victim to an area hospital.
Although officers conducted an extensive search for Bonner with assistance from a sheriff’s bloodhound he was not immediately located.
Based on the circumstances, detectives with RPD’s Robbery – Homicide Unit and specialists from the department’s Forensics Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
As the investigation continued, detectives developed leads and gathered information that led them to Moreno Valley where they located and arrested Bonner.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Karla Corbett at (951) 353-7134 or [email protected], or Detective Jim Brandt at (951) 353-7137 or [email protected]. Callers can refer to incident file number P18179668 and can remain anonymous.
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 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.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/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 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.