Alfredo Cena, a 34-year-old resident of Riverside, California, tragically lost his life on September 29, 2020. Alfredo was born on November 7, 1985, in Orange County, California. He was a beloved father to his two sons, Alfredo Cena Jr., aged 14, and Alex Cena, aged 6. Alfredo was also survived by his mother, Imelda Cena, along with his siblings, nieces, nephews, and a large extended family. His passing left a significant void in the lives of his family and friends, who remembered him fondly during his visitation and graveside service held in mid-October 2020.
The circumstances surrounding Alfredo Cena's death were both tragic and violent. On the evening of September 29, 2020, Alfredo was involved in an altercation with Timothy Karno, a 28-year-old man from Riverside. The confrontation occurred near Philbin Avenue and Corwin Lane in the Arlanza neighborhood. During the argument, Karno pulled out a firearm and shot Alfredo in the chest. Alfredo's friends rushed him to a nearby hospital, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving.
Following the shooting, Riverside police launched an immediate investigation. About an hour after the incident, officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 5600 block of Ellen Street, not far from the initial shooting location. There, they found Karno attempting to flee his residence by jumping through a glass window. A police helicopter crew assisted in locating Karno, who was subsequently arrested. Officers also recovered a firearm that Karno had tried to hide in a neighboring yard.
Timothy Karno was taken into custody and charged with murder. He was held at the Robert Presley Detention Center with bail set at $1 million. In addition to the murder charge, Karno faced several misdemeanor warrants for failure to appear in court, battery, and trespassing. His criminal history included a 2011 misdemeanor conviction for violating a court order preventing domestic violence, for which he had been sentenced to three years' probation.
The investigation into Alfredo Cena's death was conducted by the Riverside Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Unit, with assistance from the Gang Intelligence Unit, Forensics Unit, Riverside County District Attorney's Office, and Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Office. Detectives worked tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and to gather evidence against Karno. The case highlighted the devastating impact of gun violence and the importance of swift law enforcement response in bringing perpetrators to justice.
