Homicide 

June 24, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on June 23, 2024, at 12:16 a.m., deputies assigned to the Perris Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to an assault with a deadly weapon call within a business parking lot located in the 1600 block of N. Perris Boulevard, Perris. Upon deputies’ arrival, they located an adult male suffering from gunshot injuries. Lifesaving efforts were made by deputies, but the male was pronounced deceased at the scene. The scene was secured, and the Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation.

Deputies quickly developed suspect information and relayed that information to surrounding Riverside Sheriff’s Stations and local law enforcement agencies. At approximately 12:48 a.m., the suspect vehicle was located in the city of Beaumont by Riverside Sheriff’s Aviation. Riverside Sheriff deputies and Beaumont police officers attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop of the vehicle, but the suspect failed to comply, and a pursuit ensued. Riverside Sheriff deputies pursued the suspect vehicle into the city of Hemet, where the pursuit ended at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Acacia Avenue, Hemet. The suspect was detained without further incident.

The suspect, identified as Ernesto Lopez Jr., a 46-year-old male of Moreno Valley, was later arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for murder and felony evading.

The victim’s identity will be withheld pending notification of next-of-kin. No additional suspects are outstanding. At this time, due to the ongoing investigation, no further information will be released.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to call Investigator S. Denham of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Milian of the Perris Sheriff’s Station at 951-210-1000.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Jarred Bishop

File# PE241750001

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office