On the night of March 22, 2025, 41-year-old David Abarca was fatally shot while walking home from work in the La Sierra neighborhood of Riverside, California. Abarca, a nearly 25-year employee of Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill, had stayed late to assist a coworker and missed his usual ride. Surveillance footage captured an assailant approaching from behind and opening fire at about 10:10 p.m. on the corner of Hole Avenue and Mitchell Avenue. Emergency responders found Abarca unresponsive; he was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.

Authorities identified and apprehended 23-year-old Andre Devin Thomas of Riverside within minutes. A neighbor reported seeing Thomas flee through a yard and discard a firearm, which police later recovered. Investigators say there is no indication Abarca and Thomas knew each other, and the motive remains unclear. Thomas was booked on suspicion of murder with bail set at $1 million.

Abarca was remembered by family and coworkers as cheerful and hardworking, a father to a 10-year-old son who had recently moved to Riverside from Corona to be closer to his child. A GoFundMe was launched to help with funeral expenses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Riverside Police Department.