2 Dead, 2 Wounded In Botched La Cresta Home Invasion

LA CRESTA, CA — Homicide investigators Monday were seeking witnesses to a botched home invasion robbery west of Murrieta that left two men dead and another two wounded.

Deputies were sent to a home in the 37000 block of Calle de Lobo, located in the unincorporated community of La Cresta, about 4 a.m. Saturday on a report of a shooting, according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Ben Ramirez.

Ramirez said two men "forced entry into the residence and began assaulting one of the occupants inside," leading to a gunfight between the suspects and residents.

Two men — one of the suspects and one resident — suffered fatal gunshot wounds and died at the scene, according to sheriff's officials. Their names were not immediately released.

Another two men — also a suspect and a resident — were wounded and transported to an area hospital suffering from injuries of unknown severity. It was not immediately clear if the suspect was arrested.

Officials said at least one other suspect was seen driving away from the residence after the shooting.

Witnesses were urged to call sheriff's Investigator Stites at the Lake Elsinore sheriff's station at 951-245-3300, or Investigator Button with the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.