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October 26, 2023 — A late-night shooting in Colton, California, that critically wounded two men has culminated in the arrest of a suspect and an alleged accomplice, bringing a measure of closure to a tense forty-eight-hour investigation. The Colton Police Department announced the apprehension of 26-year-old Quetzalcoatl Chacon and 27-year-old Serina Mota, concluding an intensive search that spanned multiple city blocks. The incident, which unfolded in the 1100 block of North Rancho Avenue, has reignited discussions on public safety in the Inland Empire community.
According to official reports, police were dispatched to a residence on North Rancho Avenue shortly after 2:20 a.m. on July 19, 2026, following emergency calls reporting gunfire. Officers arriving at the scene discovered two adult male victims, both suffering from severe gunshot wounds. The severity of their injuries necessitated immediate, life-saving transport to a nearby regional trauma center, where they were listed in critical condition. The swift transition from patrol response to a detective-led investigation underscored the gravity of the attack.
Detectives from the Colton PD’s Major Crimes Unit quickly assumed control, processing the scene for forensic evidence and witness statements. Their initial investigative work led to the identification of Quetzalcoatl Chacon, a resident of neighboring San Bernardino, as the primary suspect. It was determined that Chacon had fled the area before law enforcement’s arrival, prompting a multi-agency alert and an active manhunt focused on his known associates and frequented locations within San Bernardino County.
The break in the case came just two days later, on July 21. Through coordinated investigative efforts, Colton police personnel located Chacon in the 1100 block of South Mount Vernon Avenue. Authorities report he was taken into custody without incident shortly after 12:15 p.m., facing a primary charge of attempted murder. The arrest highlights the department’s focused efforts to address violent crime through persistent investigative follow-up, even after a suspect has left the immediate scene.
Further investigation revealed that Chacon was not acting entirely alone in his evasion of law enforcement. Investigators identified Serina Mota of Colton as a key contact who allegedly provided deliberate assistance to Chacon following the shooting. Based on collected evidence, police established that Mota knowingly aided Chacon in avoiding capture, leading to her arrest on charges of being an accessory after the fact. This development illustrates the legal consequences for those who enable suspects to flee justice.
Both Chacon and Mota were subsequently transported and booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. They are currently being held without bail pending their initial court appearances. The Colton Police Department has emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing, as detectives continue to piece together the motive behind the shooting and the precise sequence of events that led to the violence.
The department is actively appealing to the public for additional information that could strengthen the case. Detective Serene Guillot, the lead investigator, can be reached directly. For those preferring anonymity, the WeTip hotline and online portal offer a secure way to share tips, a resource often crucial for solving crimes that lack immediate witnesses. Community cooperation remains a cornerstone of effective policing in cases like this.
Analyzing recent crime data for Colton reveals a complex picture. While certain property crime categories have seen fluctuations, incidents of violent crime, including assaults, demand continued vigilance. This arrest demonstrates the operational priority local law enforcement places on resolving violent felonies swiftly. The coordination required to locate and apprehend a suspect across different city corridors within days is a testament to these focused efforts.
The shooting on North Rancho Avenue serves as a stark reminder of the real-world impact of gun violence on communities. Beyond the immediate victims and their families, such incidents create ripples of anxiety and concern among neighbors and local businesses. The arrests, while a critical step toward justice, also open a long judicial process for the accused and a difficult recovery journey for the wounded men, whose current medical conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the Colton community is left to grapple with the aftermath. Local leaders often stress the importance of community-based programs and partnerships with law enforcement to address the root causes of violence. The resolution of this case through arrest may provide some reassurance, but it also fuels ongoing dialogues about prevention, intervention, and the resources necessary to foster long-term safety for all residents in the city and the broader Inland Empire region.
