Attempted Murder of Deputies 

December 8, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on December 5, 2025, at 9:52 p.m., deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a report of a shooting into an inhabited dwelling in the 88000 block of Avenue 70 in Thermal. Several deputies arrived, located evidence of a shooting, and began investigating the incident. While on scene, a vehicle drove onto the street and an occupant fired multiple rounds in the direction of the deputies, striking one of the patrol vehicles. No deputies were injured, and no deputies returned fire. Deputies pursued the suspect vehicle but eventually lost sight of it.

A short time later, deputies located an abandoned vehicle matching the suspect vehicle’s description in the 63000 block of Landon Lane, Thermal. Deputies conducted an area check and located a male, later identified as Gustavo Barrera Pena, an 18-year-old resident of Thermal. Barrera Pena fled on foot but was ultimately detained.

Due to the circumstances of the shooting, the Riverside Sheriff’s Force Investigations Detail, with assistance from the Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit, responded and assumed the investigation.

Barrera Pena was arrested for two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer and for discharging of a firearm into an inhabited dwelling. He was later booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center.

The investigation has shown that there is at least one outstanding suspect, who is currently unidentified. This is an active and ongoing investigation. No additional details will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Master Investigator R. Ramirez or Sr. District Attorney Investigator E. Crosson at (951) 955-2777.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Jarred Bishop

File # C253390034

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office