A woman was fatally shot at a Temecula residence Friday evening, December 26, and a 31-year-old suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder, authorities said.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Southwest Station were dispatched at 6:43 p.m. Dec. 26 to a home in the 31000 block of Sunflower Way following a report of an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
When deputies arrived, they found an adult female suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff’s officials said.
The residence was secured, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded and took over the investigation.
Sheriff’s officials identified Nicaela Hernandez, 31, of Temecula, as the suspect. Hernandez was taken into custody and later booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on a charge of murder, authorities said.
The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Investigators said the case remains active and ongoing, and no additional suspects are believed to be involved.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Chua at (951) 955-2777 or Southwest Station Investigator Mills at (951) 696-3000.Â
