On April 6, 2020, Yareli Vidal-Venegas, aged 32, tragically lost her life in a murder-suicide incident in Menifee, California. The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau identified the shooter as Roberto Perez, 39, who also killed Vidal-Venegas' two teenage sons, David Aguirre, 15, and Ronaldo Vidal, 16, before turning the gun on himself. The incident occurred at a residence on Sherman Road, where deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call.
Upon arrival, Perez refused to exit the house and informed the deputies that he had shot his family. Despite attempts to negotiate his surrender, a single gunshot was heard from within the residence. When deputies entered, they found Perez dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, along with the bodies of Vidal-Venegas and her sons. One of the boys was still alive but succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.
The investigation revealed that Vidal-Venegas and her sons were pronounced dead within a short time frame, with Vidal-Venegas being declared deceased at 4:40 p.m., David at 5:04 p.m., and Ronaldo at 5:19 p.m. The coroner's report did not specify the number of shots fired at the victims. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and no further details regarding the circumstances leading up to the tragedy were disclosed. The incident left the community in shock, and a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support the surviving family members and cover funeral expenses.
This tragic event highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues within communities. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department conducted a thorough investigation, but no arrests were made as the perpetrator, Perez, had already taken his own life. The case serves as a somber reminder of the need for continued efforts to prevent domestic violence and support those affected by it.
