One dead, one arrested, after fatal Anza shooting

ANZA, Calif. — Authorities are investigating the shooting death of a 58-year-old Anza woman, after she was found dead at a home in the unincorporated community of Anza early Sunday morning, June 7.

The deadly shooting, which resulted in the arrest of 50-year-old, Trent Allen Lightfoot, of Anza, happened at a private residence on the 56000 block of Mitchell Rd.

Yesterday morning’s fatal shooting was the second murder to hit the Anza valley this week, after a man’s body was found near the Ador Nursery in the unincorporated community of Sage, Wednesday morning, June 3.

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Deputies from the Hemet Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the home around 3 a.m., after receiving reports of a female suffering from a gunshot wound, Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit Sgt. Rick Espinoza later said of the deadly shooting.

The victim of yesterday morning’s deadly shooting, Cherie Lanzisera, 58, of Anza is seen judging a Trail Obstacle Course in this March, 2019 photo. Joe Rider photo

When deputies arrived at the home they found a deceased woman at the location who has since identified the victim as Cherie Mae Lanzisera.

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After deputies secured the scene, Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit investigators responded to the location and assumed the investigation.

During their investigation, officials identified Lightfoot as the alleged gunman and arrested the man for murder, according to Espinoza; who did not specify how Lightfoot knew the victim or what may have led to the fatal encounter.

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Saying he wished he had done more to help the victim, one area resident who requested to remain anonymous later told SCNS he was aware that Lanzisera was having difficulties with someone, but that he had no idea the situation had become so serious.

Others who knew the victim echoed that sentiment in social media posts and comments related to the deadly shooting.

Citing their ongoing investigation, Espinoza declined to provide any further details regarding their investigation, which is active and ongoing.

An online jail records search uncovered no information or persons arrested with the name officials provided for the alleged shooter.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Sandoval at (760) 770-2236 or (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number D201590011 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.