A somber New Year's Eve in Perris turned tragic when deputies responded to reports of an assault involving a firearm. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department made a statement Tuesday, about the incident that ended in the death of a local man on December 31, 2023.
Deputies arrived at the 1700 block of Glenview Drive, shortly after 10:25 p.m., to find 36-year-old Leo Campos with a gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving efforts, Campos, a Hispanic male, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials. The investigation, led by the Perris Sheriff’s Station, quickly zeroed in on a suspect.
Within the intricate weave of evidence and testimonies, David Smit, a 31-year-old Perris resident, emerged as the alleged perpetrator. Smit was apprehended and now faces the stark reality of incarceration, as he was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on murder charges, the sheriff's department disclosed in a statement.
Authorities have confirmed that there are no other suspects in the case. However, they continue to solicit information from the public. Investigator J. Adams with the Central Homicide Unit and Investigator R. Barbee with the Perris Police Department, have been assigned to field additional tips and are reachable to those with information that could shed further light on the circumstances of that fatal evening.
As the community grapples to understand the loss of one of its members, the sheriff's department remains tight-lipped on the details of the investigation. The media has been directed to the Media Information Bureau for further inquiries, signaling the department's intent to preserve the integrity of ongoing legal proceedings.
