A deadly shooting in the Good Hope neighborhood left a Perris man dead Tuesday afternoon and a 21-year-old in handcuffs, according to sheriff's officials.
Deputies responding to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon on the 24000 block of Marie Street found 46-year-old Perris resident Hugo Lomeli suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators later identified 21-year-old Isaac Rodriguez-Mendoza as the suspected shooter. He was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on a murder charge.
Sheriff's Office Releases Details
In a news release, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office said deputies were dispatched at 12:28 p.m. Tuesday to Marie Street in the unincorporated area of Good Hope after receiving the assault report.
The release identified Lomeli as the victim and said the Sheriff's Central Homicide Unit responded and took over the case. Investigators are still tracking down leads, and the agency said no additional information would be released for now.
How Investigators Tracked and Arrested a Suspect
Central Homicide Unit detectives quickly focused on Rodriguez-Mendoza as the suspect. During a search of the surrounding area, they located him and took him into custody without incident, according to CBS Los Angeles. He was taken to the Perris Station and later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on a murder count.
Deputies have not publicly released a possible motive or described what led up to the gunfire.
Local reporting indicates Rodriguez-Mendoza is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and that investigators believe he and Lomeli knew each other, though a motive remains unknown, according to Patch. The case is expected to be submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for review as detectives continue collecting evidence.
What This Means For The Neighborhood
Perris and nearby unincorporated communities have seen multiple shootings in recent years, with the Sheriff's Central Homicide Unit frequently stepping in on fatal cases. Coverage of Perris-area shootings has highlighted how often the county's homicide team is called out.
Because Rodriguez-Mendoza was booked on a murder charge, he remains in custody at the Robert Presley Detention Center while the investigation continues and prosecutors weigh formal charges, according to Patch.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Denham at 951-955-2777 or Perris Station Investigator Peralta at 951-210-1000, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office said. The agency said it will release updates as the case develops.
