Suspect arrested at San Diego airport in two Palomar Mountain shootings, including stargazing roadside attack
Arrest made after two shooting investigations on Palomar Mountain
A 46-year-old Chula Vista man was arrested Tuesday at San Diego International Airport in connection with two separate shootings on Palomar Mountain, an area of eastern San Diego County known for remote mountain roads and nighttime stargazing pullouts. The arrest followed a months-long investigation led by deputies assigned to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Valley Center substation.
The suspect, identified as Richardo Berron, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, authorities said.
What investigators say happened on Feb. 23, 2026
Deputies began investigating the most recent incident after a victim reported being fired upon on Feb. 23, 2026, while parked along the shoulder of a dirt road in the 32900 block of South Grade Road near the summit of Palomar Mountain.
Investigators said the victim was inside the vehicle and looking at the stars when a man approached, produced a handgun, and fired a single round through the driver’s side window before fleeing in an unspecified vehicle. Authorities said the victim was not injured.
Prior shooting on Oct. 6, 2025 cited as similar
Authorities said they linked the Feb. 23 shooting to an earlier incident on Oct. 6, 2025. In that case, the victim was struck in the arm. Investigators said similarities between the two cases helped establish probable cause to identify Berron as the suspect.
Law enforcement has not publicly released details such as the exact location of the Oct. 6 incident on the mountain, the nature of any relationship between the suspect and victims, or a potential motive.
Search warrant served in Chula Vista; handgun recovered
During the investigation, deputies served a search warrant at Berron’s residence in Chula Vista, where they recovered a 9mm handgun. Authorities said the firearm is believed to be connected to at least one of the shootings. Investigators have not said whether ballistic testing has linked the gun to both incidents.
Suspect: Richardo Berron, 46
Arrest location: San Diego International Airport
Charges booked: Two counts of assault with a deadly weapon
Evidence recovered: 9mm handgun from Chula Vista residence
The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced additional charges, court dates, or whether prosecutors will file a formal complaint.
As of Tuesday night, officials had not disclosed whether Berron was allegedly attempting to travel when arrested at the airport, nor whether investigators are seeking additional witnesses connected to either shooting.