Deputies Catch Up With Second San Jacinto Shooting Suspect

SAN JACINTO, CA — Two men suspected of firing into a vehicle, missing the driver but killing a dog, have been arrested by Riverside County Sheriff's Department deputies, it was announced Monday.

The arrests follow the Dec. 17 shooting at the intersection of Hewitt Street and Esplanade Avenue in the city of San Jacinto. Around 5:22 p.m. that day, a suspect "fired multiple rounds into the victim’s vehicle," killing a dog in the back seat, the sheriff's department reported.

Sheriff's deputies quickly connected two men to the shooting: Joshua Rivera, 25, and Jose Monrial, 24, both of San Jacinto.

On Dec. 19, deputies caught up with Rivera, a felon, and he was taken into custody on suspicion of a slew of felony charges, including attempted murder. A search warrant was served at Monrial’s home in the 800 block of Minor Street, but he was not found.

On Sunday, however, deputies went to Monrial's residence around 7:09 p.m. in response to "a medical aid call for service." Monrial was home and he was arrested on suspicion of several misdemeanor and felony charges, including attempted murder.

The motive for the alleged shooting was not disclosed.

Monrial was being held at Murrieta's Southwest Detention Center in lieu of $500,000 bail. Rivera was being housed at Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,120,000 bail, according to jail records.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Ruben Martinez at the sheriff's Hemet station at 951-791-3400.