Mario Lara, a 40-year-old resident of Beaumont, California, was shot and killed on April 21, 2015 at Empire Towing near Grace Avenue and 4th Street. An argument with Victor Dominguez, a former Beaumont City Council candidate, escalated into a physical altercation during which Dominguez allegedly pulled a gun and shot Lara multiple times. Lara tried to flee but collapsed in an alley and was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:26 a.m.

Victor Dominguez was arrested the next day in Imperial County on suspicion of murder and taken into custody by Beaumont police. He did not deny shooting Lara but, through his attorney Dan Greenberg, said he acted in self-defense after being attacked and knocked to the ground; Dominguez said he reached for his gun and fired back. The firearm used was legally registered to Dominguez. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges at that time, citing the need for further investigation, and Dominguez was released while the inquiry continued.

Anyone who witnessed the April 21 confrontation at Empire Towing or has information about what happened that morning is asked to come forward.