Homicide – Seeking Public Assistance 

August 28, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that one year ago, 16-year-old Joseph Aroz was murdered. Extensive investigative efforts have been made over the past year, but the suspect in this incident has not been identified. The Riverside Sheriff’s Office Central Homicide Unit is requesting the public’s assistance in solving this case.

Should anyone have any information that may assist investigators in identifying the individual(s) responsible for this murder, please contact Investigator D. Brown or Investigator V. Magana at 951–955–2777 or by email.

Individuals can also submit information through the Sheriff’s Office Online Tip Form.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Ben Ramirez / Sergeant Jarred Bishop

File # Y232320070

Original Details: On August 20, 2023, at about 9:07 p.m., deputies assigned to the Thermal Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a report of a deceased male in the 53500 block of Cesar Chavez Street, Coachella. Upon arrival, deputies located a male victim with gunshot wounds.  The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. Deputies secured the area as a crime scene and station investigators responded to begin the investigation. The Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation.

The victim was a 16-year-old male, whose name will not be released. The investigation is currently on-going and no further information will be released at this time. If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to call Investigator Sturhmann at the Thermal Station at 760-863-8990 or Investigator Brown with the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.

Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff's Homicide Tipline online form.

Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office