ARREST MADE IN ROAD RAGE HOMICIDE
Published: 02/17/2023
ARREST MADE IN ROAD RAGE HOMICIDE
RIVERSIDE, CA – On Friday, February 3, 2023 at approximately 3:56 p.m., the City of Riverside’s Public Safety Communications Center received calls that a vehicle had collided into a tree along the 600 block of E. La Cadena Drive in Riverside. When the Riverside Fire Department arrived to the scene first, they found the driver of this vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital in grave condition. Paramedics treated the victim’s partner and their 4-year-old and 3-month-old children, who were also inside the vehicle at the time, for minor injuries. Unfortunately, 25-year-old Sergio Oporto of Riverside died from his injuries on February 10th.
Detectives with the Robbery – Homicide Unit, along with Specialists from the Forensics Unit, responded and assumed the investigation. They have been assisted by the Riverside County Sheriff – Coroner’s Office and Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
Their investigation determined the victim and his family were driving along E. La Cadena Drive when they encountered an aggressive driver who appeared angry. The driver continued to follow them and it appeared to be an incident involving “road rage.” As they neared the intersection of E. La Cadena Drive and Citrus Street, the suspect vehicle pulled up alongside them. The suspect driver still appeared to be angry towards the victim, pulled out a firearm, and then fired a single gunshot into the car. The bullet penetrated the passenger side of the victim’s car, over the seated 3-month-old child, striking Mr. Oporto in the head. Detectives believe this shooting stemmed from the suspect engaging in road rage toward Mr. Oporto.
During their investigation, detectives were able to collect nearby security camera footage, which helped develop leads and ultimately identify the suspect as Jose Juan Escobedo, 64-years-old from Colton. A search warrant was obtained, and with assistance from the METRO Team, detectives served it at a home in the city of Colton on Thursday, February 16th. They located Mr. Escobedo, who was arrested and later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for murder and attempted murder. He is being held on 1 million dollars’ bail.
This investigation is still ongoing and there are no other details to release at this time. Anyone with additional and relevant information regarding this shooting and arrest should contact Detective Richard Glover at (951) 353-7134 or [email protected], or Detective Bryan Galbreath at (951) 353-7105 or [email protected].
Those wishing to remain anonymous can email [email protected], or download and use the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app by utilizing the “Send a Message” feature. Our app can be downloaded at:
- iOS Atlas 1 App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/atlas-1/id1509528933
- Android Atlas 1 App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.atlasone
