Charles Warren Neazer, a 51-year-old resident of Banning, California, was tragically killed on November 7, 2015, in what authorities have determined to be a racially motivated attack. Neazer was walking home late at night when he was approached by two men, William Arnold Armendariz and Samuel Vasquez. The suspects, both of whom were already known to law enforcement for their involvement in other violent crimes, allegedly decided to shoot Neazer simply because he was Black.
The incident occurred at the intersection of 5th Street and Williams Street, where Neazer was struck multiple times by gunfire and died at the scene.
The investigation into Neazer's murder initially went cold despite efforts by the Banning Police Department to process the crime scene and interview witnesses. However, in 2019, the case was reopened when detectives began to notice similarities between Neazer's murder and other crimes in the area. This renewed investigation led to the identification of Armendariz and Vasquez as the primary suspects. Both men were formally charged with Neazer's murder in 2021. Armendariz, 24, and Vasquez, 22, were already in custody at the time of their charges, facing multiple counts of first-degree murder and other violent crimes.
The case against Armendariz and Vasquez is currently under review by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. Both suspects are believed to be gang members, and their involvement in Neazer's murder is part of a broader pattern of racially motivated violence. Armendariz has been charged with several other murders, including the 2018 shooting death of Bradley Seth Cunningham and the 2020 killings at San Gorgonio Memorial Park Cemetery. Vasquez, on the other hand, faces multiple counts of attempted murder and firearm assault stemming from a 2017 attack.
The Banning Police Department's decision to reassign patrol officers to work as detectives on Neazer's case has been instrumental in bringing the suspects to justice. This move, initiated by Police Chief Matthew Hamner, allowed for a more focused and effective investigation, ultimately leading to the charges against Armendariz and Vasquez. The case highlights the ongoing issue of racially motivated violence and the importance of persistent investigative efforts in solving cold cases.
