Former Journalist Arrested for Alleged Racially Motivated Shooting

A former television journalist from San Diego has been arrested in connection with a shooting that authorities are investigating as a potential hate crime. The suspect, 46-year-old Ricardo Veron, is accused of asking a victim about his ethnicity before allegedly opening fire on a remote mountain trail.

Veron was taken into custody by San Diego County deputies on March 10, as he was about to leave for vacation from San Diego International Airport. Forensic evidence reportedly ties him to two separate shootings that occurred in Palomar Mountain.

The first incident took place on October 6, along Southgrade Road. Deputies responded to reports of a man who had been shot while parked on the side of a scenic highway.

The victim, identified only as Joseph, told media that the encounter happened around 9:30 p.m. while he was relaxing in his car, taking in the views. He recalled seeing a hooded figure with a rifle directed at him and felt a surge of fear.

“I looked over my left shoulder and saw a silhouette with a rifle pointed at my head,” Joseph recounted. “He asked if I was Mexican before he started shooting.”

Joseph described the terrifying moment. He raised his hands, pleading not to be shot, but just as he answered the gunman’s question affirmatively, he saw the weapon aimed at him. He instinctively turned to the side. A shot rang out, hitting him in the face and arm, shattering his car window in the process. Despite his injuries, he managed to escape and drive to safety.

Later, as he accelerated away, he heard another gunshot, this time puncturing his rear tire.

Joseph was able to reach a nearby residence and call for help, and, fortunately, medical personnel arrived to treat his injuries at Palomar Medical Center, where they managed to save his arm.

A second shooting occurred on February 23, involving another victim who reported being fired upon from outside his parked vehicle. Fortunately, he survived that encounter.

After executing a search warrant at Veron’s home in Chula Vista, authorities recovered a 9mm handgun believed to be tied to the incidents. Both victims share Hispanic backgrounds, and it has been noted that Veron made statements regarding their ethnicity prior to shooting.

Prosecutors are contemplating enhancing charges to include hate crime implications. At this time, no additional charges are expected to be pursued.

Veron, who is a father of five, has been released on bail and is slated to make his next court appearance on March 17. His wife has denied the allegations, asserting that authorities may have misidentified the suspect.