Michael Gordon, a 32-year-old resident of Banning, California, was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting on January 16, 2017. The incident occurred in the 1200 block of Wyte Way, where Gordon was with a female friend when Ronald Dean Ricks, a 31-year-old Cathedral City resident, allegedly drove by in a white Dodge Ram pickup truck and fired three shots. Gordon was struck and died at the scene, while his friend, who was also present, was unharmed.
The motive behind the shooting was reportedly related to a personal dispute involving Ricks' girlfriend, who was a close friend of Gordon.
Following the shooting, Ricks was identified as a person of interest and was later arrested in Hemet. He was charged with murder and discharging a firearm from a vehicle. The investigation revealed that Ricks' fingerprints were found on the truck, and gunshot residue was detected on the driver's side window frame. Ricks initially turned himself in at the San Jacinto sheriff's station but was booked on an unrelated offense due to insufficient evidence at the time. However, further investigation led to his arrest and subsequent charges.
The case against Ricks proceeded through the legal system, with him pleading not guilty to the charges. The court documents detailed the events leading up to the shooting, including statements from witnesses and the involvement of Ricks' girlfriend. The trial was set to continue with a felony settlement conference scheduled for January 12. The tragic death of Michael Gordon and the subsequent legal proceedings highlight the impact of personal disputes escalating into violence and the complexities involved in seeking justice.
