UPDATE: More details released, MV man charged, after Duke’s shooting, stabbings

UPDATED: Sunday, Feb. 17, 8 a.m.

See original story and all photos below.

RIVERSIDE — Authorities have identified a man who was arrested after he allegedly stabbed two bouncers at Duke’s Bar & Grill, a popular night club near UCR Riverside. The man also allegedly fired a handgun at the bouncers, but was ultimately overpowered and subdued by bouncers and bar staff, who held the violently struggling man until officers arrived and took him into custody.

Both injured bouncers were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries after yesterday morning’s violent encounter, and both are expected to fully recover from their injuries.

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After the shootings and stabbings, the alleged suspect, previously identified by RCNS as Hugo Cesar Garciao, 32, of Moreno Valley, was booked into Riverside’s Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a controlled substance while armed. Jail records indicate he remains in custody on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Feb. 21.

Riverside Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the Riverside bar in the 3200 block of Iowa Ave. shortly after midnight, after they were alerted to a shooting at the business.

“Officers from the University Neighborhood Enhancement Team quickly arrived and found the suspect being held down by the establishment’s security team,” RPD explained yesterday in a press release. “He was identified as the shooter and taken into custody.”

During their subsequent investigation, officers determined Saturday’s early morning incident began when Garciao attempted to bypass the nightclub’s security protocols.

“He was denied entry by security and started an altercation outside,” RPD explained. “During the physical altercation, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the security member. A second security member assisted and also sustained stab wounds from the suspect.”

“The suspect then produced a firearm and shot at the first security member,” RPD continued. “At some point, he fired a gunshot toward the second security member but also missed.”

“Fortunately, no one was struck by the suspect’s gunfire,” said RPD.

During the ensuing melee, the bar’s security team members were able to overpower, subdue, and disarm Garciao; and detained him for responding officers.

Officials eventually discovered Garciao had gone to the nightclub while armed with two loaded firearms, additional ammunition in another magazine, a knife, and illegal narcotics.

Officers also located and obtained surveillance video of the stabbings and attempted shootings.

Riverside PD’s investigation is ongoing and officials have not released any additional information or details.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Richard Glover of the University Neighborhood Enhancement Team at (951) 827-UNET (8638) or by email. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email [email protected] or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature while referencing incident number 190005251.

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Original Story: Two hospitalized, suspect arrested, after Duke’s shooting, stabbings

RIVERSIDE — Patrons at a popular night club near UCR Riverside were sent scrambling for safety after an armed-scuffle erupted just outside the bar early Saturday morning, Feb. 16. The alleged suspect was taken into custody after the incident. After being medically cleared for unspecified injuries, the man was booked into jail on a variety of felony charges.

The incident, that reportedly sent two bouncers to the hospital with knife and gunshot wounds, happened in the parking lot of Duke’s Bar & Grill, on Iowa Ave and Blaine St. The nightclub had just reopened in January after an attic fire forced the bar’s temporary closure last July.

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After an investigation, officers arrested 32-year-old, Hugo Cesar Garciao. He was later booked into Riverside’s Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a controlled substance while armed. Jail records indicate he remains in custody on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Feb. 21.

City of Riverside Police and Fire Departments, along with other emergency personnel were dispatched to the club just after midnight, after receiving reports of the early morning stabbings and shooting. Frantic 911 callers reported a fight outside the bar that ended with gunshots and several people stabbed, shot, or otherwise injured.

When officials arrived they found a chaotic scene and located several bouncers who had overpowered and subdued the alleged suspect, later identified as Garciao, and were physically detaining until officers arrived. Officers also found two men, identified only as bouncers for the club, who had been injured during the melee outside the nightclub.

Both injured bouncers, one of whom was shot and stabbed and the other who was also stabbed, were transported to an area hospital for further treatment of what Riverside police officers described as non-life threatening injuries.

Garciao was also taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, before he was later booked into county jail.

Several patrons, who reportedly sustained minor injuries during the incident, were evaluated and treated at the scene. None required further medical treatment.

During their subsequent investigation, officers learned the violent altercation happened when bouncers at the business stopped Garciao as he tried to bypass the bar’s security protocols. When bouncers and other bar staff tried to stop and search Garciao, witnesses say the man pulled out a knife and stabbed one of the bouncers in the abdomen. When another bouncer stepped in to help his injured co-worker, Garciao stabbed him as well.

As the violent altercation continued, someone involved in the incident pulled out a gun and fired one or two rounds. Some witnesses later said the suspect pulled out the gun and shot one of the bouncers in the leg, while other said it appeared one of the bouncers fired the weapon. Riverside PD has not yet clarified who fired the handgun.

Although several witnesses later told RCNS what they had seen happen outside the nightclub, none were willing to be identified, out of fear of retaliation.

One of the witnesses told RCNS Garciao never made it past the bouncers into the bar and “appeared to be looking for someone specific.”

“The bouncers stopped the guy on his way in and refused to let him in when he tried to bypass the pat down,” the woman explained.  

“He wasn’t even drinking at the bar,” another witness later told RCNS. “It seems like he was on a mission, like he was looking for somebody.”  

“The bouncer was just trying to do his job when the guy stabbed him,” the witness explained; saying after the stabbing he ran the other direction just as he heard what sounded like one or two gunshots. The witness could not say who fired the weapon.

“Even though they were injured, the bouncers still managed to subdue the guy and held him until police came,” the witness continued.  

“It’s sad, because Duke’s is such a great place to hang out,” the witness lamented. “And here, two people – who were just trying to keep everyone safe – ended up hurt.”  

“We’re just not safe anywhere, anymore,” the witness concluded sadly.  

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or who witnessed the incident and has not yet provided a statement is encouraged to immediately contact Riverside Police Department at (951) 826-5700. Callers can refer to incident file number 190005251 and can remain anonymous.  

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

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William Hayes/OC Hawk News photos

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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.