San Jacinto, California – Six years and five months after the tragic shooting of Anna Meza, 31, on a San Jacinto street, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has announced the arrest of a suspect in the case following an extensive investigation. The family and friends of Anna Meza have been grieving the unsolved killing for six and a half years, longing for closure.
The suspect, Daniel Acevedo Cortez, 27, was apprehended by the sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit during a traffic stop and now faces second-degree felony murder charges filed by the district attorney. Cortez is currently being held at the Robert Presley Detention Center on $1 million bail awaiting his court appearance on Wednesday.
According to the sheriff’s department, Meza was fatally shot just after 3:15 p.m. on November 12, 2017, on the 100 block of North Dillon Avenue. Despite emergency responders’ efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Since her passing, Meza’s loved ones have been honoring her memory by leaving flowers at her gravesite on special occasions, displaying a black marble double heart marker inscribed with heartfelt sentiments and symbols representing her heritage.
Her family has actively participated in the Riverside County District Attorney’s Victims of Violent Crimes Memorial for six years, advocating for justice through various channels, including online petitions and statements at San Jacinto City Council meetings. After the recent arrest of the suspect, Alishia Falcon, Meza’s sister, expressed relief and closure on social media, vowing to fulfill her promise of seeking justice for her beloved sister.
The arrest of Cortez brings hope for justice and closure to Meza’s family and friends who have tirelessly sought answers and resolution since her tragic death. As they continue to honor her memory, they can now find solace in the progress made in the cold case investigation, bringing them one step closer to finding peace.