UPDATE: Mother pleads for answers after son gravely injured in Casa Blanca neighborhood
UPDATED: Monday, Feb. 11, 12:30 p.m., With additional details and information
RIVERSIDE — A mother is pleading for answers and Riverside PD is asking for witnesses to step forward after a man sustained “major trauma to his head” and was hospitalized in grave condition last Friday evening, Feb. 8. The incident happened in the 7400 block of El Sol Way, in the city’s Casa Blanca neighborhood.
According to officials, even though there are believed to have been numerous witnesses who saw what happened to the victim, so far none have been willing to assist investigating officers. Despite follow-up investigation and interviews, witnesses have “remained uncooperative,” officials explained in a social media plea for information about the incident.
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Riverside PD’s investigation began at 6:19 p.m., when the city’s Public Safety Communications Center received an urgent medical aid call regarding an adult male who was unconscious.
When officials arrived they found the unconscious and unresponsive male. The man’s condition “quickly deteriorated” and paramedics began advanced lifesaving measures before AMR rushed the victim to an area hospital. Hospital staff later determined the man had sustained major trauma to his head. He is currently listed in grave condition.
Due to the nature and severity of the victim’s extensive injuries, detectives from Riverside PD’s Robbery – Homicide Unit and Gang Unit responded to assist in the investigation.
From the beginning of their investigation, officers and detectives found that area residents and potential witnesses “were uncooperative and evasive as to what occurred,” RPD explained.
Detectives who later attempted to conduct follow-up investigation in the neighborhood where the incident happened reported that witnesses “remained uncooperative.”
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The victim’s mother, Deiyawnna Gaston has also come forward with a plea for information about how her son was so gravely injured.
“Anyone who knows something needs to talk,” the frustrated mother said. “It will come out.”
As for her, Gaston said she won’t stop in her search for the truth until it does come out.
Riverside PD’s investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to immediately contact Detective Josh Ontko at (951) 353-7135 or by email, or Detective James Elliott at (951) 353-7238 or by email. Callers can refer to incident file number 190004496 and can remain anonymous. Those wishing to remain anonymous can also email [email protected] or use the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year 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 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.