The shooting occurred on the 2800 block of Fruitvale Avenue at about 9:13 p.m. Saturday. He was pronounced dead an hour later at Hemet Valley Medical Center. The man was identified as Victor Prinque.
Police say it appears Prinque may have been the target of an attempted robbery, possibly a "follow-home" robbery. They say shortly before he was shot, he and his wife had just returned from grocery shopping. His wife suffered a minor heart attack following the shooting. She was hospitalized, but is now recovering at home with family.
"When they did get home she went in the house with some of the groceries and he was in the garage to get some more out of the garage when the assault took place," said Hemet Police Lt. Duane Wisehart.
It's unknown if the suspect or suspects got away with anything before taking off. The victim's family says Prinque, who left Peru in 1963 to seek a better life in the U.S., was a retired welder. In his golden years he enjoyed volunteering at the Church our Lady of the Valley.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to call Hemet Police at (951) 765-2400.
