Lake Elsinore Fatal Shooting Suspect Heads To Court On Felony Charges

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Felony charges are expected to be filed Thursday against a man suspected of gunning down a 34-year-old Lake Elsinore resident.

Ian Norwood Wentz, 47, of Lake Elsinore was arrested and booked into the Byrd Detention Center Sunday on suspicion of murder after he surrendered to deputies at the Riverside County Sheriff's Department station in Lake Elsinore.

Wentz is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

His case was under review Wednesday by the District Attorney's Office.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Alberto Loureiro, shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, the suspect was involved in an unspecified dispute with Garrett Pickering in the 2000 block of East Lakeshore Drive, near Elm Street.

During the confrontation, Wentz allegedly pulled a handgun and shot Pickering, then fled the scene, Loureiro said.

Witnesses called 911, and patrol deputies and paramedics reached the location minutes later, at which point the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wentz was soon identified as the alleged shooter, but before a search was initiated, the suspect surrendered without incident Sunday at the sheriff's station on Limited Avenue.

There was no word on whether the two men were acquainted or strangers.

Background information on Wentz was unavailable.