Prosecutors declined Tuesday to file charges against three men suspected of trying to kill a pair of Anza residents, saying the case warrants additional investigation.
Francisco Carlos Ibarra, 33, and Ramon Luis Pizarro and Jesus Anton Gonzalez Renteria, both 36, were arrested Friday on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with an alleged shooting a day earlier in the 54500 block of Moraza Road, near Highway 371.
Along with Ibarra, Pizarro and Renteria, deputies arrested 39-year-old Alex Gaspar of Hemet and 36-year-old Machele Delpozo, a Mexican national, on suspicion of being in possession of stolen property. Both men posted bonds and were released from jail within hours.
Prosecutors had until Tuesday morning to file a criminal complaint in the case in order to comply with speedy arraignment guarantees established under state law. According to Riverside County District Attorney’s Office spokesman John Hall, no charges were filed because more information is needed. He did not elaborate.
Ibarra, a convicted felon, was charged with a traffic-related offense and pleaded guilty during a court appearance at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. He paid a fine and was released from custody.
Pizarro was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and pleaded not guilty when arraigned by Superior Court Judge Kelly Hansen, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Aug. 15 at the Southwest Justice Center. Pizarro’s bail obligation was lowered from $1 million to $10,000. He remains in custody.
Renteria’s was ordered to appear Friday for a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice related to previously filed domestic violence charges. He was released from custody on a $5,000 bond.
According to sheriff’s Deputy Armando Munoz, the victims, identified only as two men from Anza, were at their home when the suspects allegedly confronted them with guns, firing an unspecified number of rounds before fleeing the property.
A possible motive for the attack was not disclosed.
Deputies and paramedics were called to the location and arrived a short time later. Munoz said one victim was seriously wounded, while the other man suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Both were airlifted to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where they underwent surgery.
Munoz said investigators tracked down the alleged getaway vehicle to a residence on State Street in Hemet, and with the help of Hemet police, deputies served a search warrant at the home Friday, arresting the suspects without incident.
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