Police in California arrested a former Telemundo and Univision employee Tuesday, following two separate shooting incidents on Palomar Mountain.
Ricardo Berron, 46, a former employee of major networks Telemundo and Univision, is facing two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. CBS 8 reports that San Diego Sheriff’s investigators are treating the incidents as potential hate crimes due to the specific nature of the encounters.
According to the San Diego Sheriff’s Office, the attacks occurred months apart but followed a chillingly similar pattern.
On October 6, in Valley Center, Berron allegedly approached a vehicle parked near the top of Palomar Mountain and banged his rifle on the victim’s window. The 57-year-old victim woke to a rifle pointed at him while being questioned about being Mexican.
The man confirmed he was Mexican and Berron reportedly fired a shot that hit the man in the arm, according to 10 News.
“I looked over my left shoulder, and I saw the silhouette of a man,” the victim, known only as Joseph, said in an October interview. ”He was pointing a rifle at my head.”
Joseph managed to drive away, but not before another bullet struck his vehicle.
The second shooting incident happened on February 23, again at Palomar Mountain. Prior to Berron allegedly firing a handgun at the man star gazing, he asked him if he was Mexican.
The bullet missed the victim, and the man escaped without being physically injured, 10 News reported.
Law enforcement apprehended Berron Tuesday at the San Diego International Airport.
While officials confirmed he had been traveling at the time of his arrest, it remains unclear if he was arriving or attempting to depart San Diego County, according to CBS 8.
A warrant was issued for a search of Berron’s Chula Vista residence. During the search, investigators recovered a 9mm handgun believed to be the weapon used in at least one of the shootings.
Berron was booked into the Vista Detention Facility and released after posting $100,000 bail.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on March 17, according to 10 News.
Check back for updates.
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