MV man arrested after dousing victim, 52, with gas, setting victim on fire

MORENO VALLEY — Authorities confirmed they have arrested a felon they allege doused a 52-year-old Moreno Valley resident in gasoline and set the victim on fire earlier this morning, Friday, Mar. 1. According to sheriff’s officials the victim sustained life-threatening injuries and it is not yet known if the person will survive. The parolee who set the victim ablaze is now in custody and facing attempted murder and other related charges.

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Deputies assigned to Moreno Valley Police Department were dispatched to the 14600 block of Muirfield St. around 7 a.m., after receiving reports of the gruesome attack, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Jaime Hernandez. Muirfield is in a residential neighborhood, southeast of Cactus Ave. and Moreno Beach Dr.

“When officers arrived they located a victim who had been doused with gasoline and lit on fire,” Hernandez explained. “The victim, a 52-year-old Moreno Valley resident, was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment of life threatening injuries.”

Hernandez did not specify if the victim was male or female, but did report that it was unknown if the victim will survive their injuries. Citing the ongoing investigation, the Sgt. also did not say if the victim and suspect knew each other.

Hernandez identified the alleged suspect as Shane Hampton, 35, of Moreno Valley, but jail booking records identified the suspect as Richard Hampton. According to Hernandez, Hampton fled the scene of the horrific attack, but was “subsequently located and taken into custody.”

Hampton was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder, arson resulting in great bodily injuries, arson to property, and violation of parole. He remains in custody and is being held without bail.

Moreno Valley PD’s investigation is still in its early stages and no further information was released.

Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Lun at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV190600055 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

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

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.