3 bodies found at Riverside house fire, homicide investigation underway

Riverside Police are investigating what appears to be a homicide after three people were found dead inside a home in the city's La Sierra area. 

Friday night, investigators said the incident could be tied to an officer-involved shooting that happened earlier in the day in the Mojave National Preserve when deputies were in pursuit of a man who was shooting at them, investigators said. The man was shot and killed by deputies.

Investigators are still looking into the connection between the two incidents. 

"The three victims we found inside this house earlier today are one male adult, and two female adults," said Ryan Railsback of the Riverside Police Department. 

Police responded to the 11200 block of Price Court in Riverside around 11 a.m Friday after multiple calls reporting suspicious circumstances and a house on fire.

Neighbors said they heard a man and a woman arguing in front of a home, then a short time later reportedly saw smoke coming from the house. 

"I could see the flames were six feet high inside the garage," said Rick Beavers, a neighbor. 

By the time firefighters made it on scene the three people were already dead, discovered in the front of the home. 

Police are not saying how the people died, but said it was obvious the victims had passed away before the fire was set. Officers are investigating it as a homicide. 

"This is a horrific day," said Captain Paul Seawright of the Riverside City Fire Department. "In this season we celebrate family and being together and I can't imagine losing a family member." 

The identities of the victims have not yet been released.