Charges Filed In Deadly Corona Movie Theater Shootings

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A man charged with shooting two teens inside a Corona movie theater made his initial court appearance Friday afternoon but did not enter a plea.

Joseph Jimenez, 20, of El Cerrito has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and sentencing enhancements of personal use of a firearm causing death; personally inflicting great bodily injury; and personal use of a firearm causing great bodily injury. The Riverside County District Attorney's Office has also filed a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, which opens Jimenez up to a possible death sentence if prosecutors opt to pursue it.

During Friday's proceedings, Riverside County Superior Court Judge William Lebov ordered the defendant held in custody without bail, and rescheduled arraignment for Aug. 5.

Jimenez is accused of killing Rylee Goodrich, 18, and critically wounding Anthony Barajas, 19, both of Corona. Barajas remains on life support, the DA's office said Friday.

Goodrich and Barajas were on a date Monday to see a 9:35 p.m. showing of the horror movie "The Forever Purge" at Regal Edwards Corona Crossing. After the movie ended, theater employees went to clean the auditorium and made the horrific discovery that the two victims had each been shot in the head, according to the DA's office.

No motive for the shootings has been released, and the DA's office said there was no known connection between the victims and Jimenez.

"Based on the evidence provided to our office, this appears to be a random and unprovoked attack," the DA's office reported.

The Riverside County Gang Impact Team assisted in tracking down Jimenez, but he does not have any know gang affiliation, according to the DA's office, nor did the victims.

Jimenez was arrested at 8 p.m. Tuesday on Envoy Avenue, about 2 miles north of the movie plex where the shootings occurred. He was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside at 4:07 a.m. Wednesday, according to jail records.

During a search of the Envoy Avenue residence, a firearm and additional evidence related to the crime were found, according to the Corona Police Department.

"The firearm matched the caliber of the weapon used in the murder," police said.

The DA’s office said its Division of Victim Services is working closely with the families of both victims and is also assisting Goodrich’s family to provide funeral expenses through the California Victim Compensation Board.

GoFundMe pages for the victims' families have been established. The page for Goodrich can be found here, and the page for Barajas here.

Several memorials are planned for the victims, including a paddleout for Goodrich, according to her father's Instagram page.

"Rylee Ericka Goodrich was my Pride and joy. She was so cool, smart, driven passionate, connected, loyal and beautiful," one of Dave Goodrich's Instagram posts reads. "She was so proud of me too. We always checked on each other though the day. The sky was her limit. She has the same exact personality that I do and she reassured me just a few days ago she would take care of me when I'm old and sick...In just a few weeks me and her had road trip planned to move her to get her all set back up in college. She was shot in cold blood with her friend while they were on a date she was so happy, the boy @itsanthonymichael came home from Hawaiiand brought all us souvenirs.. she / we were feeling so bright for her future. I dont even now how to goo on anymore.....I FEEL LIKE IV HAVE FAILED AT MY JOB OF PROTECTING HER AND IMPACTING HER FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE. I dont even know how to go on @ryleegoodrich was my purpose. I AM SOBBING MY EYES OUT IN DISBELIEF THAT IM POSTING THIS RIGHT NOW."

Goodrich graduated from Corona High School and was bound for Grand Canyon University.

Barajas is a 2019 Mater Dei graduate who was a standout player on the school's soccer team and is a TikTok influencer with nearly 1 million followers. In a statement released by the school's president, Father Walter E. Jenkins said, "The Mater Dei family is shocked and saddened by the senseless act of violence that has critically wounded a beloved member of our community, Anthony Barajas ’19. We join all of those impacted by this tragedy in praying for comfort and healing and have reached out to the Barajas family to be of support in every way possible."

The school is holding a vigil for Barajas at 7 p.m. Friday. The school is located at Mater Dei High, 1202 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana.