On January 28, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., two private security guards were shot while on duty at a party in the 3500 block of Gray Street in Muscoy, San Bernardino County. The victims, both residents of Hemet, California, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Tragically, one of the guards, 28-year-old Howard Gabrelle Anderson Jr., succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
In the initial aftermath of the shooting, the assailant or assailants remained unidentified, and no arrests were made. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department initiated an investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Through continued investigation, detectives identified a 17-year-old male juvenile from Muscoy as a suspect. On February 2, 2023, deputies from the Sheriff's Specialized Enforcement Division (SWAT) located and apprehended the juvenile without incident. He was subsequently booked into the San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall on charges of murder and attempted murder.
Further investigative efforts led to the identification of a second suspect, 28-year-old Raymond Sandoval, also a resident of Muscoy. On March 16, 2023, the Sheriff's Specialized Enforcement Division arrested Sandoval without incident. He was booked into the Central Detention Center, facing charges related to the homicide and attempted homicide, with bail set at $2,000,000 and a parole hold in place.
The investigation into the events surrounding the death of Howard Gabrelle Anderson Jr. and the shooting of his fellow security guard remains ongoing. Authorities continue to seek information from the public to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
