Mathew David Rawson, a 23-year-old man from Costa Mesa, California, was remembered by loved ones as a kind, funny, and protective brother and best friend. Those who knew him described him as a "gentle giant" and a "teddy bear at heart."
On the afternoon of December 22, 2020, Rawson’s life was cut short in Anaheim. At approximately 1:30 p.m., police officers responded to reports of a shooting on the street in the 2000 block of East Via Burton Street, just behind a Motel 6. Arriving officers discovered Rawson suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Anaheim Police homicide detectives launched an investigation into the killing. Based on evidence and witness statements, they quickly identified a suspect. The following day, December 23, at about 1 p.m., investigators located 23-year-old Gilbert Fred Falgo in Hesperia. Falgo was found in a vehicle near his residence and was arrested for Rawson's murder.
A handgun was recovered at the time of his arrest.
Falgo was taken into custody and held on $1 million bail. He was subsequently charged with one felony count of murder. As of January 2021, detectives had not released a motive for the shooting or disclosed what relationship, if any, existed between Falgo and Rawson.
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was established to help Rawson's family with the costs of a memorial service. The community showed an outpouring of support, raising more than $11,000 to honor his memory.
