Robert Salinas Jr., a 37-year-old Latino, was tragically shot and killed on August 12, 2018, in Pomona, California. The incident occurred in the early hours at the Pomona train station, where Salinas and another homeless man, Jeremy Alexander Henness, were found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. The discovery was made by a homeless individual who then sought help from a nearby business.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene shortly after police arrived.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Christopher Matthew Peterson, a 40-year-old Amtrak engineer from Ontario, California. Peterson contacted the Ontario Police Department, indicating that he might have been involved in the shooting, although he claimed to be intoxicated or high at the time. Following this lead, Pomona investigators went to Peterson's home, where they found a gun registered to him. Peterson was subsequently arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder.
Peterson, who had been employed by Amtrak since 2010, was charged with the murders on August 14, 2018, and held without bail. He was scheduled for arraignment at the Pomona Courthouse. The investigation revealed that Peterson did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon, and tests were being conducted to determine if the gun found at his home was used in the shooting. Despite his employment with Amtrak, Peterson was not on duty at the time of the incident, and Amtrak confirmed that train engineers are not permitted to carry weapons while working.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but investigators found drug paraphernalia near the bodies of Salinas and Henness, suggesting a possible drug-related motive. Both victims were known to be homeless, with outreach officers having previously contacted Henness to offer services. The county operates a homeless shelter near the shooting site, but it is uncertain if either victim utilized these services.
The case against Peterson proceeded through the legal system, with him entering a "not guilty" plea. The investigation continued as authorities sought to piece together the events leading up to the tragic deaths of Robert Salinas Jr. and Jeremy Alexander Henness.
