A former TV news reporter facing potential hate crime charges for allegedly shooting at two Hispanic men in separate incidents has broken his silence following his arrest. Ricardo Berron, who is Hispanic himself, spoke exclusively to the California Post at his Chula Vista home, expressing confidence that everything will be cleared up soon.
The 46-year-old, a former on-air reporter for Spanish-language stations Univision and Telemundo, was arrested at San Diego International Airport as he was about to leave for a vacation. Authorities found a 9mm handgun at his home, which they believe was used in at least one of the attacks.
The incidents took place on Palomar Mountain, where two Hispanic victims were shot at by a suspect who asked about their ethnicity before opening fire. Investigators suspect that Berron targeted the victims because of their ethnicity. The latest attack occurred on February 23, when a victim parked along a dirt shoulder was approached by the suspect with a gun. A shot was fired through the driver’s side window, but the victim was unharmed.
A similar incident took place on October 6 last year, where another victim was struck by a bullet while parked on the mountain. The suspect inquired about the victim’s ethnicity before shooting at him. The victim narrowly escaped serious injury as the bullet missed his face and struck his arm.
Berron’s wife has denied the allegations, and he has been released on bail pending a court appearance on March 17. The California Post has reached out to Berron’s attorney for comment on the situation.
Despite the serious charges he is facing, Berron remains confident that he will clear his name and resolve the accusations against him. The case has shocked the community and raised concerns about hate crimes and violence targeting individuals based on their ethnicity. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to gather more evidence in the case.
