Police Continue their Search for a Killer

A Thursday morning warrant sweep meant to drum up leads and suspects in connection with the deadly shooting of four teens in Redlands ended with the arrest of two men and a juvenile.

The operation began at 7 a.m. Redlands Police officers partnered with officials from other law-enforcement agencies to serve warrants at four homes in Redlands. Two were in the 1000 block of Columbia Street, one was in the 1100 block of Calhoun Street and the other was in the 600 block of Riverview Drive.

Warrants were also served at a home in the 37000 block of High Ridge Drive in Beaumont and the 3100 block of Antelope Way in Ontario.

Police arrested Rogelio Romero, 33, at the Columbia Street home on a weapons violation. Johnny Legaspi, 51, of Beaumont, was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property. A 17-year-old boy was arrested for a probation violation.

But none of the arrests were linked to the Jan. 5 shooting, officials said.

“The investigation into the fatal shooting is continuing,” said Carl Baker, Redlands Police spokesman.

The shooting occurred just after 7 p.m. at a playground between two apartment buildings on Oxford Drive north of Colton Avenue. Police say the gunman approached the boys and opened fire.

Responding officers found 17-year-old Quinn McCaleb dead at the corner of Post Street and Sun Avenue. Andrew Jackson, 16, died at Loma Linda University Medical Center a short time later.

Two other teens were shot in the head. Both were treated and have since been released, Baker said. A fifth teen at the scene was not injured, Baker said. All four teens were students in the Redlands Unified School District, which serves Loma Linda.

“Police still do not have a motive for the shooting,” Baker said.

Detectives are in the process of tracking down dozens of leads, Baker said. The warrant service was a part of that effort.

Police are asking the public’s help in finding the gunman, described as a Hispanic man, 17 to 20 years old, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-10, 150 to 170 pounds with a thin build. Witnesses say he had a mustache at the time of the shooting and wore a black baseball cap, black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Police are also looking for information on two vehicles reportedly seen in the area. One was described as a dark green mid to late 1990s Honda Accord or Honda Civic four-door sedan. The other may be a dark colored vehicle with shiny rims, officials said.

A $10,000 reward, provided by an anonymous donor, has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Sgt. Mark Hardy at (909) 798-7545 or Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword “REDTIP.”