Man Fell Through Ceiling, Killed IE Business Owner With Bat: Reports

FONTANA, CA — A man has been arrested after he fatally beat a business owner and grandfather to death with a bat after falling through the ceiling of the victim’s workplace in Fontana, according to reports.

Authorities apprehended Ronalee Barrett Stanberry in Hollywood, the Fontana Police Department announced, in connection with the unprovoked attack, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. Jan. 10 at an Allstate Insurance location in the 9700 block of Sierra Avenue.

Fritz Mendoza, 79, and his son had opened their business for the day when his son found ceiling panels on the floor and Stanberry sitting in a chair, according to KTLA, which reported Stanberry fell through the roof.

Stanberry asked Fritz’s son not to hurt him and to make a phone call but then lunged for a baseball bat displayed nearby and struck Fritz’s head before the son fought him off and Stanberry fled, KTLA reported.

The victim was taken to a hospital but died of his injuries Jan. 21, police said.

Stanberry, 37, was described by police as a transient with ties to Chino, Los Angeles and Kern County. He was arrested around 2 a.m. Tuesday, according to jail records, and is charged with murder, mayhem and burglary.

As of Wednesday, he was being held with no bail at the West Valley Detention Center, jail records said.