RivCo Man Dies Weeks After Shooting, Suspect In Custody: Sheriff

The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition on July 7, authorities said.

By Corey Washington, Patch Staff

Jul 30, 2026 9:44 AM PDT | Updated Jul 30, 2026 10:42 AM PDT

Eric Gomez, 42, of Moreno Valley, was arrested July 17, 2026 after a 36-year-old Hemet resident was shot, authorities said. (Riverside County Sheriff's Department)

HEMET, CA — A 36-year-old Hemet man has died weeks after a shooting left him in critical condition, authorities announced on Wednesday.

On July 7, just before 11:30 p.m., deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 24000 block of Rosebrugh Lane. When they arrived, deputies found a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators later identified the suspect as Eric Gomez, a 42-year-old resident of Moreno Valley.

On July 17, authorities located Gomez near Gilbert Street and Stetson Avenue in Hemet where he was taken into custody without incident.

Gomez was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for attempted murder, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

On July 27, sheriff's homicide investigators were notified the victim, identified as Ryan Ankenbauer, died from his injuries on July 26.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department said its homicide investigators will resubmit the case to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office "with a request for the charge of murder against Eric Gomez."

According to court records, Gomez was in custody at Southwest Detention Center on July 30. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 31.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.

No additional information was immediately available.

Anyone with information related to the investigation was asked to contact Riverside County sheriff's homicide investigators at 951-955–2777 or 951-791–3400.