Suspect Fires On Passing Vehicles, Killing Father Of 4 In San Jacinto

SAN JACINTO, CA — Investigators were working Tuesday to understand why a 39-year-old San Jacinto man allegedly killed one person and wounded another as he shot at passing vehicles in his city.

Julio Cesar Rodarte was arrested around 8 a.m. Monday after he fired on vehicles that morning in the area of West Seventh Street and South San Jacinto Avenue, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

When sheriff's deputies responded to the scene just after 7 a.m., they found two people and multiple vehicles were struck by the gunfire. Victor Hugo Leon, 42, of San Jacinto was one of the victims. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The second victim, whose identity was not released, was hospitalized and survived. An update on the person's condition was unavailable.

According to a GoFundMe page, Leon was driving home after an overnight work shift when the "senseless act of violence" hit.

"He was only minutes away from his home when this tragedy occurred," according to the page established for Leon's family. "Victor was an amazing father, husband and friend. He leaves behind three sons, one daughter, and his loving wife. Victor's smile and sense of humor will be truly missed, he leaves a hole in the hearts of us who knew him."

Rodarte was booked into Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, second-degree robbery and resisting arrest, jail records show. According to the sheriff's department, he is suspected of 10 counts of attempted murder. He is being held without bail.

A possible motive for the shooting was not disclosed.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Investigator Scott with the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Martinez with the San Jacinto Station at 951-654-2702.