Grief counselors were on hand for Monday’s first day of school at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga after a freshman football player was shot and killed over the weekend.
The shooting took place on the 60 Freeway, just east of Valley Way, in Jurupa Valley (map) at about 11:10 p.m. on Saturday when someone fired into a vehicle with five people inside, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
One person struck by the gunfire was pronounced dead at the scene and two others were taken to a hospital for treatment, Sgt. Jeff Buompensiero stated in the news release.
The victim was identified by friends as 20-year-old Sheldon Martin, a football player at Chaffey College.
“Panther Athletics is saddened to hear of the passing of freshman wide receiver Sheldon Martin. Sheldon was a kind young man who will be profoundly missed by his teammates, coaches, and the athletics staff. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” a statement on the Chaffey College Athletics Facebook page read.
Investigators believe Martin and four friends may have been involved in a dispute at a restaurant in Riverside prior to the shooting.
“It sounds like he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, because Sheldon wouldn’t bring anything on like that,” Rob Hadaway, head coach of the football team said.
The team’s football practice was cancelled and grief councilors were on campus for the first day of classes Monday.
“It’s just not fair that he was robbed of the opportunity to see all of his hard work and all of his time and his effort come to fruition,” said Martin’s friend Mark Language.
No arrests have been made in the shooting, which was still under investigation, according to Buompensiero.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Central Homicide Unit at 760-393-3526.