Ruben Garcia, a 60-year-old resident of Cabazon, California, was reported missing on July 29, 2021. His body was discovered two days later, on July 31, 2021, in an open desert area south of the train tracks between Almond and Olive streets in Cabazon. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department confirmed that Garcia had suffered trauma consistent with a homicide. The investigation into his death revealed that he had been fatally shot with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.
The discovery of his body marked the beginning of an extensive investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding his death.
The investigation led to the arrest of two suspects, Victor Diaz Sandoval, 52, of Cabazon, and Gilberto Garcia, 38, of Banning. Both men were charged with murder and other related offenses. Sandoval faced additional charges, including sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations. The arrests were made in August 2021, with Gilberto Garcia being apprehended in Jurupa Valley on August 18, and Sandoval being taken into custody eight days later. Initially, investigators were also searching for a third suspect, Pedro Urieta Angeles, but charges were never filed against him.
The legal proceedings against Sandoval and Gilberto Garcia progressed, with both men being held in custody. Sandoval was held on $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, while Gilberto Garcia was held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. In January 2023, a judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial for both defendants on the murder charges. The trial date was set for April 2023, with both the prosecution and defense preparing for the proceedings.
Throughout the investigation and subsequent legal actions, the motive behind Ruben Garcia's murder remained undisclosed. The case highlighted the efforts of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department in bringing the suspects to justice and underscored the community's concern over the violent crime. The tragic death of Ruben Garcia left a lasting impact on his family and the Cabazon community, as they sought answers and justice for their loved one.
