Michael M. Mendoza, aged 37, tragically lost his life on October 6, 2021, in Anza, California. The incident occurred at an illegal marijuana grow site operated by Benjamin Franklin Winkle, a 38-year-old convicted felon. Mendoza was employed by Winkle to assist with the grow site, which was located near the Cahuilla Indian Reservation. On the day of the incident, Winkle was preparing for a road trip and needed Mendoza's help to hitch a travel trailer to his Chevrolet Silverado pickup.
During this process, one of the truck's tires became stuck, and Mendoza's efforts to free the vehicle resulted in a tragic accident where a tire rolled over and killed one of Winkle's girlfriend's puppies.
The death of the puppy enraged Winkle, who was armed with a Glock .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol. Witnesses reported that Winkle accused Mendoza of killing the puppy and, in a fit of rage, opened fire on him. Mendoza was struck multiple times, including in the neck, chest, thigh, and hand, and died at the scene. Winkle then forced a neighbor at gunpoint to drive him away from the property, intending to flee to San Diego. However, the neighbor managed to escape and alert authorities.
Following the incident, Winkle went on the run, eventually reaching an ex-girlfriend's house in Placer County. He evaded capture for several weeks, during which time he coerced his ex-girlfriend into driving him to various locations. Winkle was eventually apprehended and brought to trial. In February 2024, a Murrieta jury found him guilty of second-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and other related charges. He was sentenced to 40 years to life in state prison.
The case highlighted the dangers associated with illegal marijuana grow operations and the potential for violence in such environments. The trial and subsequent conviction of Winkle brought some measure of justice for Mendoza's family, though the senseless nature of the crime left a lasting impact on the community.
