In the early hours of July 24, 2024, Riverside officers responding to reports of a car theft on the 9100 block of Magnolia Avenue found a stolen Honda Civic crashed into parked cars and a dumpster. Inside was 35-year-old Riverside resident Alex Arzate, unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. Arzate was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead a few hours later.

Detectives identified 41-year-old Tony Ortiz of Perris as the primary suspect. Police say Ortiz allegedly witnessed Arzate stealing the Civic, and as Arzate tried to flee Ortiz produced a handgun and shot him. Ortiz was arrested at his Perris residence hours after the incident; several firearms were seized there, including the weapon investigators believe was used. Ortiz was booked on murder and weapons charges with bail set at $1 million and pleaded not guilty at his September 2024 arraignment.

The investigation remains ongoing. If anyone has information about the shooting or Arzate’s activities that night, contact the Riverside Police Department.