UPDATE: Father, 84, released after son’s shooting death in Hemet

UPDATED: Thursday, Oct. 10, 4:30 p.m.

See Original Story below.

HEMET — More details have come to light after family members and others familiar with last Tuesday’s deadly shooting during a domestic disturbance at a Hemet home have come forward with additional information and details about what led to the incident. Hemet PD officials had previously released that the fatal encounter involved an 84-year-old father who fatally shot his 31-year-old son.

LEADING THE RCNS HEADLINES:

Community reeling after third San Jacinto valley murder in four days

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Although officials initially arrested the father – who has since been identified as Salvador Curiel – and said he would be booked into jail on murder and other related charges, family and friends say that based on the circumstances and Hemet PD’s further investigation, the elderly man was later released from custody without bail.

According to sources familiar with the ongoing investigation, the octogenarian is back home with his family and will not likely be facing charges, although the case has been forwarded to the Riverside County District Attorney’s office for review.

Reports from those familiar with the incident that led to the deadly shooting have reported the person who was fatally shot, Ricardo Curiel, was high on methamphetamine and armed with a gun when he arrived at the home where the shooting occurred.

According to witnesses, Ricardo was threatening to kill his own family when his elderly father intervened and began struggling with his son over control of the handgun. During the struggle, Salvador managed to disarm Ricardo; however, the drugged man continued to attack Salvador at which time the father fired the handgun at his son in self-defense.

Although Ricardo was rushed to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley where he underwent life-saving measures, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the hospital.

Hemet PD has not released any further information regarding their ongoing investigation, but online jail records indicate Salvador was never booked into jail after his arrest.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact City of Hemet Police Investigator Alvarez at (951) 765-2426. Information can also be provided through the Hemet PD smartphone app available for free via the App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android users. Callers can remain anonymous.


Original Story: Father arrested after son’s murder in Hemet

HEMET — An 84-year-old Hemet man has been arrested after officials allege he fatally shot his 31-year-old son early this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 8. Officials have not released any known motive or specified what may have led to the deadly shooting, which happened at a private residence on the 2400 block of W Oakland Ave., in Hemet.

LEADING THE RCNS HEADLINES:

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One injured, juvenile dead after Highgrove shooting

One dead after shooting at Hemet motel

City of Hemet Police and Fire Departments, along with AMR medics were dispatched to the home around 2 a.m., after receiving reports of shots fired at the location, Hemet Police Lt. Jeff Davis has since reported.

When officers arrived they found Ricardo Curiel, 31, suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso.

“Family members were surrounding the victim,” Davis explained.

Ricardo was rushed to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley where, despite life-saving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.

Salvador Curiel, 84, has been arrested after the shooting death of his son, 31-year-old Ricardo Curiel. Hemet PD photo

During their subsequent investigation, officials identified Ricardo’s father, Salvador Aceves Curiel, 84, of Hemet. Salvador as the person who fired the fatal round.

Based on their investigation, officers arrested Salvador for the shooting death of his son.

As of this report, the alleged suspect was awaiting transport to a Riverside County Jail where Davis said the man would be booked on suspicion of murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony causing death. Officers will be seeking a $2 million bail, according to the Lt.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact City of Hemet Police Investigator Alvarez at (951) 765-2426. Information can also be provided through the Hemet PD smartphone app available for free via the App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android users. Callers can remain anonymous.

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


Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, 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 or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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.

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