Crime & Safety

Gang Member Accused of Gun Assault Arraigned

Daniel Nunez was arraigned Tuesday before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

A Hemet gang member accused of seriously injuring a man in a beating pleaded not guilty Tuesday to attempted murder and other felony charges.

Daniel Raymond Nunez, 26, could face more than 30 years behind bars if convicted of two counts of attempted murder and one count each of assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at an inhabited dwelling and gang activity.

Nunez was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. Clark scheduled a July 28 felony settlement conference and kept the defendant's bail at $1 million.

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The defendant was arrested in March following a months-long investigation by Hemet police and the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Gang Task Force.

According to police, the gang-related confrontation between Nunez and the victim, whose identity was not released, happened on the afternoon of Aug. 8, 2013, in the 500 block of Cedar Place.

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Nunez allegedly struck the other man in the face and broke his jaw. After the assault, the defendant allegedly pulled a handgun and fired several shots at the victim and others before fleeing the location.

Detectives identified Nunez based on eyewitness statements and evidence collected at the scene, and an arrest warrant was issued.

Nunez was located on March 28 in the 700 block of Evergreen Street but refused to comply with officers' demands to surrender and tried to run, investigators allege. A K9 team pursued him, and the dog subdued Nunez moments later. He was not injured.

According to court records, Nunez has a prior misdemeanor conviction for possession of illegal drugs.

He is being held at the Southwest Detention Center.

— City News Service.


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