Woodcrest man arrested in Mead Valley murder investigation
MEAD VALLEY, Calif., — Authorities today announced the arrest of a man they say fatally shot a Mead Valley man last month. As reported by RCNS at the time, the deadly shooting happened in the 19600 block of Seaton Avenue, south of Cajalco Road, in the unincorporated area of Mead Valley Friday evening, Oct. 8.
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Palm Desert victim, 47, ID’d after fatally shot while taking late-night walk
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Deputies and investigators from the Perris Sheriff’s Station, along with Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit investigators began investigating the fatal shooting shortly after 7 p.m. after receiving reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit Sergeant Ben Ramirez said at the time.
When deputies arrived they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the scene. He has since been identified as Robert Toy, 46, of Mead Valley.
Christopher Baker has been charged in the fatal shooting of Mead Valley resident Robert Toy last month. RSO booking photo
During the course of their investigation, officials developed leads and gathered information that led them to identifying Christopher Baker, 36 years of Woodcrest, as the suspect, according to Ramirez.
On Nov. 11, Baker, who was already in custody at the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on a felony warrant unrelated to this case, was re-arrested for Toy’s murder.
Although online jail records indicate Baker’s booking charges have not been updated to reflect the murder charge, he remains in custody in lieu of $60,000; on suspicion of vehicle theft and possession of a stolen vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a controlled substance, and driving on a suspended license.
SEE ORIGINAL STORY: Mead Valley shooting leaves local man, 46, dead
Officials have not said what may have led to the fatal shooting and citing their ongoing investigation, Ramirez declined to provide any further details.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Letterly at (951) 955-2777, or Perris Sheriff Station Investigator DiMattia at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PC212800070 and can remain anonymous.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
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 30 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 18 grandchildren.