2 dead, 2 hospitalized following reported assault in Mead Valley

MEAD VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Two people were killed and two others were rushed to the hospital following an assault with a deadly weapon in the Mead Valley area, sheriff's officials said.

The shooting was reported around 12:15 a.m. Friday in the 21600 block of Rider Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's media Twitter account.

Area residents said they're worried that a killer may be on the loose.

"It's scary because you don't know where he's at. He could be running around armed, and nobody knows," said an area resident who wished to remain anonymous.

The Riverside County sheriff's office has not released any information about a possible suspect. Two of the victims were taken to an area hospital to undergo treatment for their injuries.

Arthur Chavez says his adult nephew was one of the people injured, and he's recovering in a hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. Chavez added that his sister locked herself in her room at the time of the shooting.

"She was barricaded in her room when all this went down, and it took a while before she came out, because of what happened, so she was in fear for her life," Chavez said.

Nearby residents said there was an argument outside a home on Rider Street Thursday evening. Some say they believe the residence is a drug house.

"The lady next to it on this side, she actually seen them a couple times doing deals and that people would come in and out, just random people walking in and out," said an area resident.

Chavez said his nephew is going to be OK, and he believe the suspects may still be on the loose.

"When it touches home, it affects you," Chavez said, holding back tears.

Chavez said the second injured individual is a woman who is also in the hospital, but her condition was not known.

Anyone with more information is encouraged to contact Investigator Navarette at the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777 or Investigator Layos at the Perris Station (951) 210-1000.