Homicide suspect arrested after pursuit in Inland Empire

Deputies arrested a homicide suspect early Sunday morning after a pursuit in Riverside County.

They were first called to the 1600 block of Perris Boulevard around 12:15 a.m. after learning of an assault with a deadly weapon in the area, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.

They arrived to find a man suffering from gunshot wounds and, despite life-saving measures taken, he was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies said.

Shortly after, shortly before 1 a.m., the gendarmes located the suspect's vehicle in Beaumont thanks to an aeronautical unit, the press release specifies.

Deputies and Beaumont Police Department officers attempted to stop the car, but the suspect fled and a chase began.

They pursued him into Hemet, where he eventually stopped at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Acacia Avenue, according to the RSO release.

The suspect, identified as Ernesto Lopez Jr., a 46-year-old Moreno Valley man, was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder and felony escape.

The victim has not yet been identified.

Deputies say there are no outstanding suspects in this case.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact investigators at (951) 210-1000.