News Releases

CORRECTION: Updates incident date to add the year, Aug. 1, 2023.

If convicted as charged, Richard Pedroza and Daniel Rios face life in prison

DIAMOND BAR, CA — Two men have been charged in connection with a car-to-car shooting on the 57 Freeway in Diamond Bar in 2023 that left one person dead and another seriously injured.

“If you think you can turn our freeways into shooting galleries and terrorize our communities with callous violence, think again,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “This reckless attack cost one man his life and left another injured. Innocent people simply traveling the freeway, just trying to get to their destination, could easily have been caught in the crossfire and killed. My office will hold these defendants accountable for their cruelty and ensure that justice is delivered to the victims and their families.”

Richard Pedroza (dob 11/6/96) of Alhambra and Daniel Rios (dob 4/23/99) of La Habra were each charged with one count of murder with special circumstances, and two counts of attempted murder. Additionally, Pedroza faces one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon, while Rios faces two felony counts of the same crime. The charges include several allegations including that the crimes involved great violence, great bodily harm, the threat of great bodily harm, and other acts showing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, and callousness.

“Our investigators worked tirelessly to bring these suspects to justice, and we remain committed to protecting the public we serve,” California Highway Patrol Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris said.

Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 12 in Department N of the Pomona Courthouse. Both defendants are being held on no bail.

On Aug. 1, 2023 at about 12 a.m., Pedroza and Rios are accused of opening fire in a car-to-car shooting on the southbound 57 Freeway north of Pathfinder Road in the San Gabriel Valley. The shooting killed one victim and seriously wounded another. Shots were also allegedly fired at another person, who was not struck. Pedroza and Rios were arrested on Aug. 19 by the United States Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Team.

If convicted as charged, Pedroza and Rios face life in prison.

Case 25PSCF00446 is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Catherine Chon of the Organized Crime Division and was investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.