City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARD: ALL
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OFFERING A $20,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF IZAAC COLUNGA AND DOMONIC CASTILLO – INTERDEPARTMENTAL TRANSFER ISSUES:
Adopt a Resolution offering a reward in the amount of $20,000 for information that leads to the identification and apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the attempted murder of Izaac Colunga and Dominic Castillo that occurred in the City of Riverside, Police Department case 190006841, for a duration of 60 days and authorize an interdepartmental transfer in the same amount.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution offering a reward in the amount of $20,000 for information that leads to the identification and apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the attempted murder of Izaac Colunga and Domonic Castillo, Police Department case 190006841, for a duration of 60 days; and With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the transfer of $20,000 from the General Fund Non-Departmental/City Manager’s Fiscal Management Account to the Police Department’s Riverside Reward Program Account.
BACKGROUND:
On Friday, March 13, 2019, at approximately 12:11 AM, Riverside Police Department officers responded to the 6400 block of Nidever Avenue, regarding multiple calls of shots fired into a residence. Upon arrival, officers contacted several occupants inside the residence, including two victims who had been struck by gunfire. Domonic Castillo suffered a single gunshot wound to his forearm. He was treated at a local hospital and later released. Izaac Colunga was critically injured. He was treated at a local hospital upon which time it was discovered that he was paralyzed from the neck down.
The Robbery – Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation with the help of the Forensics Unit. Detectives interviewed several witnesses who provided their accounts of the event and a few who provided a suspect and vehicle description. Over the past several years, detectives have continued to work the case and up to this point have exhausted all leads.
A press release was distributed regarding the incident in 2019, and rewards were previously offered in hopes of a viable lead. The investigation remains open, and information is still being sought regarding the incident.
Detectives believe there are witnesses to the events leading up to the incident or of the incident itself, however that have not come forward. The reward of $20,000 could yield useful information that could possibly lead to the identification and ultimately the apprehension of person or persons responsible for the attempted murder of Domonic Castillo and Izaac Colunga.
DISCUSSION:
On March 20, 2001, the City Council approved the adoption of a resolution implementing the Police Department’s “Riverside Reward Program.” Guidelines for offering rewards are listed in section 363 of the Riverside Police Department Policy Manual.
Detectives believe that offering a significant reward in the amount of $20,000 may entice one or more witnesses to come forward with information that would help them in the identification and apprehension of the person or persons involved in this attempted murder.
Attached is a Resolution offering a reward in the amount of $20,000 for information leading to the determination of the identity of, and the apprehension of, the person or persons responsible for the attempted murder of Domonic Castillo and Izaac Colunga, which will expire 60 days after the date of City Council’s approval.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal number No. 2.4 -Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department provides public safety services to the community. Issuing a reward that could positively stimulate the investigation and yield useful information that could possibly lead to the identification and ultimately the apprehension of person or persons responsible for the attempted murder of Domonic Castillo and Izaac Colunga support this goal.
Equity – The Department provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. Issuing a reward in an effort to apprehend a person or persons responsible for attempted murder helps in the achievement of this goal by ensuring that RPD employees can enhance community safety.
Fiscal Responsibility – The Police Department has determined that the benefits of offering a reward in an effort to apprehend a person or persons responsible for attempted murder outweigh the cost of the reward. Additionally, the reward is only paid in the event of an apprehension.
Innovation – In order to meet the community’s changing needs, the Police Department regularly assesses the various tools and programs at their disposal to help them provide public safety services to the community. The rewards program provides the Department with an additional tool to help keep the community safe.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Regularly assessing the Police Departments programs, making changes as needed and utilizing the programs as appropriate allows the Department to adapt and grow as the needs of the community change. The rewards program is a valuable tool that will help the Department provide public safety services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $20,000. Upon City Council approval of an interfund transfer, available funds in the amount of $20,000 will be transferred from the General Fund, Non-Departmental/City Manager’s Fiscal Management Account No. 7211200-450247 to the General Fund, Police Department’s Riverside Reward Program, Account No. 3100000-459026. If no reward is offered within 60 days of Council’s approval, the funds will be returned to the Non-Departmental/City Manager’s Fiscal Management Account unless renewed or extended.
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
Availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution
City Council Memorandum dated March 20, 2001
City Council Minutes, Page 5, dated March 20, 2001
City Council Resolution 19873
Police Department Policy 363 “Riverside Reward Program” Colunga Reward RenewalηPage 3