Ex-TV Reporter Makes Bizarre Seven-Word Claim After Arrest in Racial Attack Case

A former television journalist, Ricardo Berron, made a cryptic seven-word remark after his arrest for allegedly shooting two Hispanic men in separate incidents on Palomar Mountain, authorities said.

As the investigation deepens, the 46-year-old former on-air reporter and anchor for the Spanish-language stations Univision and Telemundo told California Post, “Pretty soon everything will be cleared up.”

Berron was arrested on March 10 at San Diego International Airport for allegedly shooting two men in separate incidents on Palomar Mountain. Berron faces possible hate crime charges after investigators said he targeted the two men because of their ethnicity.

According to FOX5 San Diego, authorities later searched Berron’s home and recovered a 9-millimeter handgun that investigators believe were used in at least one of the shootings.

San Diego County Sherrif’s Officer Sgt. Evan Sobczak told FOX5 San Diego, “This could possibly be motivated by hate. Both victims in these cases were Hispanic and there were statements made by the suspect something similar to ‘are you Hispanic’ prior to shooting at them.”

According to FOX5San Diego, Berron’s wife said the allegations are false and insisted authorities have the wrong person.

According to San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the first shooting occurred on October 6, 2025, along South Grade Road near the summit of Palomar Mountain. According to FOX 5 San Diego, Sgt. Evan Sobczak said deputies received a report of a man being shot at while parked in a vehicle along the roadside.

The victim, Joseph Valentino, said the attack happened around 9:30 p.m. along Highway 76 on October 6. Valentino told deputies he was sitting in his vehicle when someone tapped on his rear window.

“I looked over my left shoulder and saw the silhouette of somebody holding a rifle at my head and wearing a hoodie,” Valentino said.

Valentino said the gunman asked if he was Mexican before firing. “I raised my hands and asked him not to shoot,” Valentino said.

“He asked me if I was Mexican. I responded yes. At that point, I saw him zero in on my head, and instinctively turned to the right. I heard the shot — it missed my face and caught my arm.”

The impact of the bullet sent Valentino over the center console, and he said he could feel blood running down his face. Despite his injuries, Valentino said he managed to start his car and drive to a nearby home and call for help.

Deputies and paramedics arrived about one hour later, and he was taken to Palomar Medical Centre. Doctors were able to save his arm, which was severely damaged by the bullet.

Investigators say a second incident occurred on February 23, 2026 in the same area. A man sitting in his car reported that a gunman walked up and fired one shot through the driver’s side window, narrowly missing him. Sobczak said forensic evidence collected from that shooting helped investigators identify a suspect.

Berron was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Berron has since been released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on March 17.