Who is Pete Renteria? Suspect in triple homicide in Ontario detained for separate fatal shootings in Upland
UPLAND, CALIFORNIA: Pete Anthony Renteria, a suspect who had eluded capture for months after being implicated in a triple homicide in January, was eventually captured on Saturday, September 30, for allegedly fatally shooting a fourth victim in Ontario.
Authorities detained Renteria, 29, in Upland, roughly 37 miles east of Los Angeles, after responding to a report of shots fired just before noon on Saturday in the southeast parking lot of Memorial Park.
A 34-year-old man was discovered by police with multiple gunshot wounds, who eventually died at the scene.
According to Southern California authorities, Renteria was suspected of killing his grandparents and uncle in January and allegedly killed a second time almost eight months later, per Law and Crime.
When police arrived on the site, they discovered that the shooting suspect had fled the scene. They were able to locate Renteria immediately and seize the handgun that might have been involved in the incident.
Investigation revealed that Renteria and the victim had fought earlier in the day at the park. According to reports, Renteria returned to the park "to specifically target the victim."
Police stated that there was no danger to the public and that they believed the shooting was targeted. However, a safety check has been performed on the park since then.
Pete Renteria was arrested in connection with a triple homicide
According to jail records, Renteria was wanted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office in connection with the January 30 killings of his grandparents Sonia Ramirez, 68, and George Ramirez, 72, as well as his uncle David Ramirez, 43.
They were all discovered shot to death at 9 pm in a residence on Ramona Place in Ontario, another Californian community only a few miles from Upland.
Despite not disclosing a reason, San Bernardino deputies named Renteria as a suspect almost three weeks after the shootings. Since then, he has been evading capture.
According to the Daily Bulletin newspaper, San Bernardino deputies attended to the residence more than 60 times for calls like welfare checks and maintaining the peace in the three years before the incident.
After nine months on the run, Renteria was apprehended by Upland police and taken into prison before being moved and lodged in the San Bernardino County Jail.
According to online jail records, as of October 2, he was being held under a $3 million bond, per FOX News. No one has yet publicly identified the victim of the incident on Saturday.
GoFundMe page created to cover expenses on family’s behalf
A family member set up a GoFundMe account - that raised $21,903 USD of the $45,000 goal - months ago with the message, "Our family is devastated by the great loss we are suffering."
Michele Akbari, who claimed herself as George and Sonia's daughter and David's big sister, wrote: "It is an understatement to say that George and Sonia Ramirez were devoted, compassionate, selfless and kind. As parents, their love was boundless. Our brother, David Ramirez, was our family protector, a doting father and an incredibly supportive son."
"We are relying on the Sheriff’s department to investigate and apprehend the person who committed this heinous act. As we grieve, we ask for prayers and respect for our privacy so our family can process and mourn," Akbari added.