COLTON COURIER Weekly
March 20, 2025
Vol 153, NO. 14
Violence Breaks Out in Classroom at Jehue Middle School Between Male and Female, Colton PD Investigation Ongoing By Christopher Salazar
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IECN.com
Three Shot in Colton in Broad Daylight; Shooter Still at Large Pg. 3
n Monday, March 10, two unidentified students of color, one male and one female, both 14years-old, fought inside a classroom at Jehue Middle School. Both individuals involved in the incident have been issued citations, but community groups demand the female’s charges be dropped, arguing that she is the victim. According to an official statement released by the Colton Police Department, the investigation is ongoing, specifying that “The case will be forwarded to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Division, for review.” Rialto Unified School District (RUSD) stated it will cooperate with Colton PD throughout the investigation. In a statement on Instagram, Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes said “it is critical to ensure that school staff are present and properly trained to intervene effectively in violent situations, particularly those
that have the potential to be racially motivated.” According to sources, the teacher present was a substitute teacher. Their identity has not been released. RUSD spokeswoman Syeda Jafri echoed Reyes’ concerns, citing violence and racial slurs, in an official statement. “The District does not condone the violent actions of the students and does not tolerate hate speech on any of its campuses,” Jafri said. “Corrective measures have been implemented.” Following a press conference held outside Jehue Middle School, IECN spoke with Najee Ali, a senior community organizer with Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches, a nonprofit organization. “We demand justice for the young African American female student who attends Jehue middle school who was Classroom Fight, cont. next pg.
PHOTO CHRIS SALAZAR RUSD Spokesperson Syeda Jafri speaking at the podium during the press conference in front of Jehue Middle School on March 13th at 3:30 PM.
San Bernardino County Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. Killed in Victorville Pursuit; Rialto PD Identifies Suspect as Repeat Offender During that pursuit, Turner was seen driving a reported stolen vehicle and fled at speeds exceeding 90 mph on surface streets, recklessly weaving through Rialto and San Bernardino. At the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Meridian Avenue, a pursuing officer collided with another vehicle that entered the intersection despite emergency lights and sirens being activated.
Time for Change Foundation Opens Fourth Emergency Shelter in San Bernardino Pg. 4
Although Turner initially escaped capture, he was later apprehended by the San Bernardino Police Department (Case# 2412029). Even while in custody, Turner attempted to flee on foot while handcuffed but was restrained and booked into Rialto Police custody.
PHOTO RPD AND SBCSD Suspect Ryan Turner (left), a repeat offender identified by Rialto police as the driver of the stolen vehicle, and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. (right), who was killed in a pursuit-related crash.
Inland Empire Women of Distinction Honored by Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes Pg. 8 Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com
By Manny Sandoval
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an Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr. was killed in a March 17 crash while responding to assist in a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle, authorities confirmed. The suspect, identified as Ryan Turner, has a history of fleeing law enforcement and reckless endangerment, according to the Rialto Police Department. The fatal collision occurred at approximately 11:10 a.m. at the intersection of Seneca Road and El Evado Road. Officials said Deputy Cuevas was driving a patrol
SUV when he collided with another vehicle while en route to assist in an active pursuit of Turner, who was driving a stolen vehicle. The impact caused extensive damage and knocked down live electrical wires. Cuevas was pronounced dead at the scene. Suspect’s Criminal History and Prior Pursuits Turner, a repeat offender with an extensive criminal record, had previously led Rialto police on a high-speed chase on January 29, 2024, that also resulted in a crash.
Turner was charged with felony evading, grand theft auto, and possession of a stolen vehicle. However, on February 22, 2024, he accepted a plea deal with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, pleading no contest to vehicle theft (VC 10851(a)) and receiving a 16-month county jail sentence. Early Release and Policy Controversy Despite his sentence, Turner was released in October 2024 after serving only 8 months, benefiting from custody credits under PC 4019, a law enacted in 2011 allowing felony offenders to serve reduced sentences in county jails. Rialto Police Chief Mark Kling condemned the system that allowed Turner’s early release. Deputy Killed, cont. next pg.