Man Fatally Shot At Taco Bell Drive-Thru
RIALTO (CBS) — Investigators said a 19-year-old man was shot and killed while waiting at a Taco Bell drive-thru window in Rialto.
Police said the victim tried to get away when the gunman opened fire.
Paramedics responded to the scene where the victim, Joshua Huizar, had been shot during a robbery while sitting in his car at the drive-thru about 1 a.m. Sunday.
Police said Huizar's VW was behind another car as he was waiting at the drive-thru when a man walked over, knocked on his window and demanded his wallet. Huizar handed it over, but decided to try and get away from the gunman, police said.
"During the robbery the victim saw an opportunity to drive away from the location, drive away from the scene and through the drive-thru, unfortunately in so doing, he was shot at that time," said Officer David Shepard of Rialto Police.
Huizar was struck by a single bullet. He was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where was pronounced dead.
An 18-year-old woman was in the car with the victim, but was not hurt.
Police said the gunman fled on foot and headed south after the shooting.
The victim's friends spoke out to CBS 2 on Sunday.
"Josh is just a great guy, he's always had his fun. We've been to parties and all that stuff, we went to school, I've known him my whole life," his friend Alex Rodriguez, said. "Early in the morning my friend David tapped on my window, he was like, 'Josh is dead.' I couldn't believe that, I got right up and went to his mom's house. It was unbelievable."
The deadly shooting is raising fear in the neighborhood around Baseline Road and Willow Avenue.
"I can't believe somebody just straight up and did something crazy like this," said Rialto resident Arif Habib.
The Taco Bell sits at a shopping center that is right across the street from Eisenhower High School.
"We're right next to the theater that is actually heavily populated at that time of night," said Habib.
Police do not believe the shooting was gang-related. They're asking for any witnesses to come forward and help them capture the suspect.
