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Officers arrested a man suspected of killing his beloved Riverside father without provocation, police said Thursday.
According to the Riverside Police Department, officers responded to reports of the shooting at about 10:10pm on Saturday, March 22nd, in the halls around Lasiera and near Mitchell Avenue.
Officers arrive and find unresponsive victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. After paramedics tried to treat the victim on the scene, they took him to a local hospital where, where despite efforts to save lives, authorities said he died after a while.
According to RPD, the victim has been identified as 41-year-old David Abarca.
Riverside 41-year-old David Abarka will be seen with his son in this undated photo provided by the Riverside Police Station in March 2025. Riverside David Abarka, 41, can be seen in this outdated photo provided by the Riverside Police Station in March 2025.
“Abarca left his 10-year-old son and was a dedicated employee of Rodrigo’s Mexican grills in Riverside for nearly 25 years,” the department said in a statement.
According to a preliminary investigation, Abarka stayed late that night and missed the usual ride, so he began walking home.
Detectives say that when Abarka approached Hall and Mitchell Avenue, the suspect approached him and shot him without suddenly taunting him. Officials have not found any indication that the two know each other.
After the shooting, a neighbor told detectives he saw the suspect run through the yard and dump the handgun.
Officers then quickly spotted and detained the suspect, identified as Andre Devin Thomas, 23, of Riverside. Police also recovered a discarded gun nearby.
Riverside’s 23-year-old Andre Devin Thomas can be seen in this booking photo provided in March 2025. (Riverside Police Station)
Thomas has been booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center’s Murder Center and is being held on $1 million bail.
“This was a meaningless act of violence that took the life of my hardworking father, and our hearts came to Abarka’s family and our loved ones,” said Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez. “I praise the officers for our detectives and forensic experts for their prompt response in capturing suspects and for their hardworking work. We are committed to seeking justice for Mr. Abarka.”
The department said no further details are available and the investigation is still underway.
Anyone with additional information will be asked to contact detective Anthony Watkins at 951-353-7105 or awatkins@riversideca.gov.
Police added that the Abarka family has launched a GoFundMe to support funeral costs.
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