On April 29, 2022, 37-year-old Matthew Lunsford, a well-liked produce manager at Hemet’s WinCo, was tragically shot and killed in East Hemet, California. The incident occurred near the intersection of Dartmouth Street and Collegian Way, just a block from Hemet High School. According to reports, deputies from the Hemet Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the scene around 11:10 a.m. after receiving a report of a man found shot inside a vehicle.
Upon arrival, they discovered Lunsford deceased inside his vehicle, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and face. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a vehicle fleeing the area at the time of the shooting.
The investigation quickly led to the identification and arrest of 43-year-old Bryan Goetter, who was apprehended after a brief vehicle pursuit. Goetter was spotted by California Highway Patrol officers who attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Instead of complying, Goetter fled, leading officers on a short chase before eventually pulling over and surrendering without further incident. He was subsequently booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of first-degree murder and remains in custody with a bail set at $1 million.
Further details emerged during the investigation, revealing that the shooting occurred following a confrontation between Lunsford and Goetter inside a parked vehicle. The exact nature of their relationship and the motive behind the shooting remain unclear, as officials have not disclosed whether the two men knew each other or what led to the fatal encounter. Goetter has since pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, felony evading, carrying a semiautomatic firearm onto a public school campus, and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations. His case is currently proceeding through the legal system, with a felony settlement conference scheduled at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.
The tragic death of Matthew Lunsford has left the Hemet community in mourning, as he was known to be a popular and well-respected member of the local community. The ongoing investigation and legal proceedings continue to seek justice for Lunsford and his family, as they navigate the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.
