Murrieta Felon Who Shot at Neighbor is Sentenced

A convicted felon who shot at a man with whom he got into an argument with at a Murrieta apartment complex pleaded guilty on Thursday, Nov. 1 to assault with a firearm and was immediately sentenced to two years in prison.

Michael Richard Munoz, 32, admitted the felony charge under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. In exchange for his admission, prosecutors dropped one count each of recklessly discharging a gun, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and brandishing a weapon.

Munoz was arrested July 18, hours after the attack at the Waterstone Apartments in the 24800 block of Hancock Avenue, near Via Espana.

According to Murrieta police Lt. Ron Driscoll, about 9 p.m. on July 17, the defendant was speeding through the apartment complex parking lot when he came dangerously close to hitting another resident, whose identity was not released, walking away from his parked vehicle.

"This resulted in a heated exchange of words between Munoz and the (adult) male," Driscoll said. "Munoz went to his apartment, retrieved a handgun and returned to confront the subject, who was now in the presence of other neighbors. Munoz pointed the handgun at the subjects, which prompted them to run."

The defendant fired a single shot at no one in particular, then retreated to his apartment, Driscoll said. No one was injured.

Officers arrived moments later, and after speaking with witnesses, took Munoz into custody without a struggle, according to the lieutenant.

Court records show that Munoz has prior drug-related convictions.

City News Service contributed to this report/Image via Shutterstock