Riverside father shot and killed "without provocation" while walking home from work, police say

A Riverside man was shot and killed while walking home from work in the city's La Sierra neighborhood in what investigators believe was an unprovoked act of violence, police said Thursday.

David Abarca, 41, had stayed late at work on the evening of Saturday, March 22 and missed his usual ride home, deciding to walk home instead, according to police. He was "suddenly shot him without provocation" as he approached the intersection of Hole Avenue and Mitchell Avenue, the Riverside Police Department said in a news release issued Thursday, March 27.

Police arrested 23-year-old Andre Devin Thomas as the suspected killer.

Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured shooting, the suspect seen walking up to the victim from behind before opening fire. Monica Mendoza, owner of the business, said she witnessed the killing.

"It was like less than a minute when I saw the guy start shooting him," Mendoza said, adding of the gunman, "and then he took off, like walking, like nothing happened."

Detectives have said there is no indication the victim and suspect knew each other. Ryan Railsback, a spokesman for the Riverside Police Department, said Abarca was "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"He stayed late at work that night just to help out," Railsback said. "David did nothing, absolutely nothing, to cause our suspect to do this. There was no argument — no nothing. Just the suspect sees him, approaches him and shoots him."

Officers found Abarca unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds when they responded to reports of a shooting near Hole Avenue and Mitchell Avenue around 10:10 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, police said. 

Paramedics rushed him to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. 

Thomas was arrested after a resident in the area reported someone had ran through her yard and appeared to ditch a gun, Railsback said. The handgun was later recovered and he was found, detained and booked into Robert Presley Detention Center.

He was arraigned in court March 26 and was being held on suspicion of murder with his bail set at $1 million, authorities said.

Abarca, the oldest of five children, recently moved to Riverside from Corona so he could be closer to his 10-year-old son, according to family members. Police described him as a dedicated employee of nearly 25 years at Rodrigo's Mexican Grill, a restaurant family members say he started working at as a teenager bussing tables.

"This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of a hardworking father, and our hearts go out to Mr. Abarca's family and loved ones," Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said in a statement from police. "We remain committed to seeking justice for Mr. Abarca."

The restaurant where he worked for more than two decades released a statement Monday, March 31, saying a memorial will be held in Abarca's honor at Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory in Corona on April 3. 

That day, the restaurant will be open for only limited hours given the tribute to Abarca.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of our beloved employee, David Abarca," Rodrigo's Mexican Grill said in the statement. "David was a cherished member of our Riverside team and a friend to many."

"David's kindness, dedication, and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed by all of us at Rodrigo's Mexican Grill. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones as we navigate this loss together," the statement continues. "We invite our community to join us in honoring David's memory and celebrating the impact he had on our lives."