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Ricardo Berron, a former television journalist from San Diego, finds himself at the center of a chilling investigation. Authorities accuse him of executing racially motivated shootings on a remote mountain highway, reportedly interrogating victims about their ethnicity before firing his weapon.
Berron, aged 46, was taken into custody by San Diego County deputies on Tuesday, March 10, just as he was about to embark on a vacation from San Diego International Airport. Investigators revealed that forensic evidence has connected the ex-Univision and Telemundo reporter to two distinct shooting incidents on Palomar Mountain.
The first of these unsettling events unfolded on October 6, near the summit of South Grade Road. According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched following reports of a man being shot at while parked along this picturesque roadway.
Authorities are treating these violent acts as potential hate crimes, given the nature of the alleged questioning preceding the shootings. The arrest of Berron marks a significant development in the case, as they continue to piece together the full scope of these alarming incidents.
Ricardo Berron, a former San Diego television journalist, was arrested in connection with two shootings on Palomar Mountain that investigators said may be hate crimes. (KSWB)
The victim, identified by Fox 5 San Diego as Joseph, told the outlet the attack happened around 9:30 p.m. along Highway 76 as he sat in his car enjoying the view.
“I looked over my left shoulder and saw the silhouette of somebody holding a rifle at my head and wearing a hoodie,” Joseph told the outlet.
Joseph said the gunman asked if he was Mexican before firing.
Authorities recovered a 9mm handgun from the Chula Vista home of former San Diego journalist Ricardo Berron during the investigation into two shootings on Palomar Mountain. (KSWB)
“I raised my hands and asked him not to shoot,” he recalled. “He asked me if I was Mexican. I responded yes. At that point, I saw him zero in on my head, and instinctively turned to the right. I heard the shot — it missed my face and caught my arm.”
The bullet shattered his window and severely damaged his arm, according to Fox 5. Joseph told the outlet the impact sent him over the center console and that he could feel blood running down his face.
Despite his injuries, Joseph said he managed to start his car and flee.
“I hit the gas — my car took off — and I heard a second shot. That second shot hit my rear passenger tire,” he said.
Joseph was able to drive to a nearby home and call for help. Deputies and paramedics arrived about an hour later, and he was taken to Palomar Medical Center, where doctors were able to save his arm, Fox 5 reported.
Authorities searched the Chula Vista home of former San Diego journalist Ricardo Berron during the investigation into two shootings on Palomar Mountain. (KSWB)
A second shooting occurred Feb. 23 in the same area. A man sitting inside his parked vehicle reported that a gunman walked up and fired once through the driver’s side window, narrowly missing him, officials said.
Authorities later executed a search warrant at Berron’s Chula Vista home, recovering a 9-millimeter handgun investigators believe was used in at least one of the shootings.
Both victims were Hispanic, and officials said the suspect made statements about their ethnicity before opening fire. Prosecutors are seeking hate crime enhancements.
Officials said they are not seeking any additional charges beyond those already announced.
When approached outside his home, Berron declined to comment and drove away without responding to questions, Fox 5 reported. His wife denied the allegations, telling reporters authorities have the wrong person.
Berron, a husband and father of five, has since been released on bail and was scheduled to appear in court March 17.
Legal counsel for Berron could not be reached.Â
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.