Menifee officials investigating apparent murder-suicide – 4 dead

April 7, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

MENIFEE, Calif. — Authorities in Menifee are investigating a suspected murder-suicide after a man fatally shot three family members and before reportedly turning the gun on himself, Monday afternoon, April 6.

The apparent murder-suicide happened at a private residence on the 31000 block of Sherman Rd., near Freedom Lane, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s officials.

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Deputies were dispatched to the home shortly before 4 p.m., after receiving reports of domestic disturbance, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Carroll later reported.

When deputies arrived at the scene they encountered a man inside the residence who refused to come out and speak with them.

“The man refused to exit the house and told deputies he had shot his family,” explained Carroll; saying, “Deputies negotiated with the male to surrender; however, he refused.”

Deputies are investigating an apparent murder-suicide after a Menifee man allegedly fatally shot three of his family members before turning the gun on himself. Alexvnews photo

As negotiations with the man continued, deputies heard what they believed was a single gunshot from within the residence, at which time they forced entry into the home and discovered the man deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, said Carroll.

During a subsequent search of the residence, deputies discovered three additional shooting victims inside the home.

All were suffered from apparent gunshot wounds, according to Carroll; who said two of the victims were pronounced deceased at the scene, while a third victim was found clinging to life.

The surviving victim was eventually rushed to Riverside University Medical Center’s trauma center in Moreno Valley with CPR and other life-saving measure in progress; however, that victim was also pronounced deceased when they arrived.

None of those involved in the deadly shooting have been identified.

Based on the circumstances, investigators from the Perris Sheriff’s Station and Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Officials have not specified any known motive for the shooting or what may have led to the deadly incident.

Their investigation is active and ongoing, according to Carroll; who said no further details were available for release at that time.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact to contact Central Homicide Investigator Dickey at (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number ME200970072 and can remain anonymous.

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

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Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 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 16 grandchildren.