After an eight-month-long investigation, homicide detectives arrested two suspects for the murder of Dominic Beard
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 10:35 p.m. UPDATE: January 6, 2020
INCIDENT: Murder Investigation – Suspects Arrested
LOCATION: Casa Bella Apartments – 16980 Nisqualli Rd., Victorville
SUSPECTS:
Edmond Smith, age 31 a transient of Victorville – booked Jan. 3, 2020 for Murder
Ravon Friend, age 20 a resident of Barstow – arrested Jan. 4, 2020 for Murder
Barion Walkins, age 20 a transient of Los Angeles – arrested Jan 4, 2020 for Robbery
VICTIM: Dominic Beard, 29 years old, resident of Victorville
SUMMARY: UPDATE – January 6, 2020
Following an eight (8) month-long investigation, homicide detectives arrested two suspects for the murder of Dominic Beard and a third suspect for robbery.
Through investigation, homicide detectives identified Edmond Smith, Ravon Friend, and Barion Walkins as suspects. The three suspects forced entry in to the victim’s residence. Smith and Friend were involved in a physical altercation with the victim prior to the shots fired that struck and killed the victim. Walkins was in another room of the apartment when the shooting occurred, stealing property. The suspects were also found to be known gang members. The victim and the suspects were known to each other prior to the incident.
Edmond Smith was currently in custody at the High Desert Detention Center on an unrelated charge. On January 3, 2020, he was booked for murder and is being held without bail. Ravon Friend was arrested in Barstow on January 4, 2020. He was transported and booked into the West Valley Detention Center for Murder and is being held without bail. Barion Walkins was arrested in Los Angeles on January 4, 2020. He was transported and booked into the Central Detention Center for Robbery and is being held without bail.
No additional information is being released. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Detail, Detective Mike Gardea at (909)387-3589 or remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com
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On Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at 10:35 p.m., Victorville Sheriff’s Station deputies were dispatched to an apartment in the Casa Bella Apartment complex on Nisqualli Road following a report of an assault. Upon arrival, deputies located a 29-year-old male, later identified as Dominic Beard, unresponsive inside an apartment. Beard was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homicide Investigators responded to conduct the investigation. Investigators have learned multiple suspects entered the victim’s residence and the victim was shot during a suspected home invasion robbery.
Refer: Detective Mike Gardea or Sergeant Scott Thies
Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail
Phone No. (909)387-3589
Case No. DR#171902904 H#2019-030
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Headquarters
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700