RivCo homeowner shoots burglar multiple times

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. — Authorities say a Banning man was shot multiple times by a Lake Elsinore homeowner after forcing his way into the victim’s home late Monday evening, April 27.

According to officials investigating the shooting, which happened on the 18000 block of Carmela Ct., the alleged burglar survived his injuries and remains hospitalized with numerous gunshot wounds. He will be charged out of custody due to his medical condition and ongoing treatment.

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Deputies responded to the residential neighborhood about 11:30 p.m., after receiving reports of multiple shots being fired in the area, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Brad Foster reported after the violent encounter.

When deputies arrived they found a man, later identified as 39-year-old, Rodney Ortiz Jr., down in the short cul-de-sac.

“He was suffering from multiple, non-life threatening, gunshot wounds,” said Foster.

While deputies began investigating the shooting, medical personnel were summoned and began treating Ortiz for his injuries. Due to his extensive injuries, Ortiz was transported to an area hospital for further treatment.

During their investigation, deputies learned the incident began when Ortiz forced entry into the victim’s residence.

“The homeowner armed himself with a handgun and confronted Ortiz,” explained Foster; who said, “Fearing for his safety … the homeowner … fired at Ortiz, who took off running and collapsed in the street in front of the residence.”

As their investigation was continuing, deputies discovered Ortiz had committed at least two separate vehicle burglaries in the same area before breaking into the victim’s home and being repeatedly shot.

There were no other injuries and deputies found no additional suspects while conducting a safety sweep of the neighborhood, according to Foster.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to immediately contact Deputy Schmidt at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at (951) 245-3300. Callers can refer to incident file number F201180067 and can remain anonymous.

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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.