Hamilton Alexander Taracena, 39, of San Bernardino was shot and killed on March 23, 2022. Multiple 911 callers reported a shooting in the Base Line wash area, west of California Street, at about 10:09 a.m. Officers found Taracena with a gunshot wound and medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene at 11:10 a.m.

Witnesses reported that several people fled the scene before police arrived, and detectives asked the public for help identifying anyone who might have been present. On June 11, 2022, San Bernardino police arrested 31-year-old Joshua Cortez; he was taken without incident near Highland and Western avenues and booked on charges of murder and carrying a loaded firearm in a public place, held on $1 million bail. The investigation remained active as detectives sought more information.

Anyone who was in the Base Line wash area that morning or who has information about the people who fled is asked to come forward.