Army veteran fatally gunned down while watering front garden

11 November 2023 , 20:58

925     0

Family members of 68-year-old Michael Rangel say they have no idea who is responsible for the crime (Image: abc7)

The Riverside Police Department is in the process of investigating the shooting of the death of an Army veteran who was killed in his front garden as he was watering the grass. According to the family members of 68-year-old Michael Rangel, they have no idea who bears responsibility for the crime.

Speaking about her father, Monica Rangel said: "He would always tell us, 'Violence is just an endless cycle. It makes no sense for someone to come by and do this." Police said that it happened at approximately 3pm on Saturday October 28 at their homes closeby to the intersection of Heidi Road and Harmony Lane.

Monica said: "I miss our routine. Even him just telling me good night and God bless you. It's not the same. I look for him and he's not there."

Surveillance video from Eyewitness News reveals a white, four-door vehicle approaching the home before the shooting, followed by almost two minutes before someone opens the driver's side door and begins shooting.

READ MORE: Man shot and killed by friend who was 'choking his dog during a heated argument

Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probe

A 68-year-old Army veteran was shot to death while watering a front yard in Riverside (abc7)

Family members say the gunman fired nearly thirty times and more than a dozen bullet holes in their garage door. Mary Rangel, the victim's wife, said: "I mean, I heard shots before, but at a distance. I've never heard them this close."

At the time of the shooting she said she was outside the home, and then by the time she was able to get to her husband, he was already dead. She added: "I want justice. I want [the shooter] to go away for what he did."

Riverside police did not have information regarding a possible suspect. The investigation remains open.

Earlier this year, a US Marine hero and dad who survived three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan was shot dead while driving an Uber in California, creating "chaos" in his young family's life.

Father-of-two and military veteran Aaron Orozco, 38, ended up in what police called a "physical altercation" at a 7-Eleven convenience store with two passengers he had picked early in the morning, police said.

The quarrel broke out for unknown reasons and ended with Aaron being shot in the upper chest, Los Angeles Police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspects then fled in Aaron's Honda Accord before it was found abandoned a short way away from where the shooting took place.

Charlie Duffield