Arrest Made Amid Lake Elsinore Deadly Shooting Investigation

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A Lake Elsinore man was identified this week as the suspect in an ongoing homicide investigation, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Steven Vargas, 33, was arrested Wednesday by homicide investigators, with the assistance of investigators from the Major Crimes Unit. He was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center, where he awaits felony murder charges.

On Sunday, just after 7:45 p.m., Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station deputies were dispatched to the 28000 block of Wells Fargo Lane in Lake Elsinore regarding an assault with a deadly weapon, according to Sgt. Alberto Loureiro.

"Upon arrival, deputies located 38-year-old Brian Rivas, a resident of Lake Elsinore, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound," Loureiro said. "Despite life-saving measures, Rivas was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics."

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office - Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Newby at (951) 955–2777 or Lake Elsinore Station Investigator Contreras at (951) 245–3300.