Andrew "Andy" Sanchez, a 54-year-old resident of San Bernardino, California, was tragically killed on February 28, 2023, in Highland. Sanchez, a dedicated special education health aide at Werner Elementary School in Rialto, was known for his sense of humor, love for cooking, and devotion to his family. He had also been serving as a caretaker for his mother in recent years.
The incident occurred near the intersection of 5th Street and Tippecanoe Avenue in Highland.
Officers from the Highland Police Department responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon and found Sanchez in his vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by deputies and fire department personnel, Sanchez was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after.
Investigations by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department revealed that the shooting stemmed from a road rage incident between Sanchez and 31-year-old Juana Leonides of Colton. On May 3, 2023, authorities arrested Leonides and her 23-year-old boyfriend, Oscar Lopez, at their residence in Colton. Lopez was charged with murder, and both individuals faced charges related to shooting from a vehicle. They were booked into the West Valley Detention Center without bail.
Sanchez's family, including his mother and son, Anthony, expressed profound grief over the loss. Anthony noted the particularly painful timing, as his father was taken from them on his youngest son's third birthday. The family continues to seek justice for Sanchez, remembering him as a dedicated father and grandfather who had much more life to live.
