MORENO VALLEY – A reported burglary-in-progress at a 93-year-old’s residence sent deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station to the 24300 block of Eucalyptus Avenue On June 29, 2022, at 12:29 a.m. While Deputies were en route, the reporting party, nonagenarian Joe Howard Teague, told Dispatch that he had several subjects at gunpoint.
Arriving Deputies located Joseph A. Ortega (33) of Moreno Valley – suffering from a gunshot wound. The suspect was immediately rendered aid, upon transport to a local hospital.
Ortega remains in critical condition in hospital. In the mean time, a witness was located close to the scene.
Several people were witnessed fleeing on foot, prior to the Deputies’ arrival. Ortega’s critical medical condition spurred the Central Homicide Unit to immediately respond and assume the investigation.
Investigators established that the shooting occurred when several individuals were inside Teague’s property at the time of the shooting. Teague was transported to Moreno Valley Station for questioning, then later returned home.
It was learned that Teague was unharmed during the incident. This investigation in ongoing, and Investigators are asking for your help.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call Investigator Anderson of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Allen of the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station at 951-486- 6700. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.
