DATE/TIME: February 26, 2024, at approximately 9:06 p.m.
INCIDENT: Attempted Murder
LOCATION: 18000 block of Santa Ana Avenue, Bloomington
SUSPECT(S): Armen Joshua Mata, resident of Bloomington, 22 years of age
VICTIM(S): Confidential Male Adult
SUMMARY: On Monday, February 26, 2024, at approximately 9:06 p.m., deputies from the Fontana Station responded to a 9-1-1 call involving a shooting that had taken place at a residence, located on the 18000 block of Santa Ana Avenue, in the unincorporated area of Bloomington. Deputies Dominic Rapisardi and Mark Smoot arrived at the location and provided life saving measures to a male adult victim, who suffered from multiple gun shot wounds.
Deputies learned the suspect, later identified as 22-year old Armen Joshua Mata, had been involved in an argument with the victim. During the argument, Mata shot the victim multiple times and fled the location. The victim was immediately transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC). Rapisardi and Detective Ryan Cook conducted the investigation, and authored an arrest warrant for Mata.
On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at approximately 7:09 a.m., investigators located Mata alone, sitting inside his vehicle in a commercial parking lot in the city of Menifee. Members of the Menifee Police Department were alerted and provided assistance.
At approximately, 8:58 a.m., Mata left the parking lot and was detained without incident by a Special Response Team from the Menifee Police Department. Mata was transporetd to the Fontana Sheriff's Station and interviewed. He was subsequently booked at the West Valley Detention Center for the above charges.
Mata's vehicle was towed to the Fontana Station for processing. A search warrant was authored and approved. During a search of the vehicle, detectives located a loaded firearm hidden underneath the back seat. The victim remains in critical condition at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact investigators at the Fontana Sheriff's Station at (909) 356-6767. Callers wishing to remain annonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com
Refer: Deputy Rapisardi
Deputy Smoot
Detective Cook
Station: Fontana Station
Phone No. (909) 356-6767
Case No. 032400635
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
