Murrieta Police Arrest Suspect in Road Rage Stabbing Incident
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“Murrieta, CA – On December 18, 2024, at 12:27 p.m., a 911 call was received by the Murrieta Police Communications Center regarding an assault with a deadly weapon and an associated road rage incident. Officers from the Murrieta Police Department and paramedics from Murrieta Fire & Rescue responded to a parking lot in the 28000 block of Scott Road where they met an adult male who had a non-life-threatening stab wound to the face.
The victim reported that a road rage incident occurred on the I-215 Freeway, and he was followed off the freeway by the other driver and into the parking lot where there was a confrontation. The suspect then attacked the victim with the knife, causing injury to the victim’s face that required medical attention.
Following the assault, the suspect fled the scene in his vehicle. Thanks to the victim’s partial description of the suspect’s license plate, officers utilized the FLOCK automated license plate recognition system to identify the vehicle. Information about the vehicle was shared with allied agencies, and a short time later, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department helicopter located the suspect’s vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop and detained the driver. The victim later positively identified the individual as the suspect.
Detectives from the Murrieta Police Department assisted with the interview of the suspect who confessed to the crime. A knife matching the description of the weapon used was recovered as evidence. Joel Viramontes, a 27-year-old resident of Murrieta, was arrested for Penal Code Section 245(a)(1), Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and was booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center.
This incident underscores the importance of remaining calm in traffic situations and reporting dangerous behaviors to law enforcement. If you witness or experience aggressive driving or road rage, prioritize your safety by avoiding confrontation and contacting authorities immediately.
The Murrieta Police Department is committed to ensuring public safety and thanks all agencies involved for their assistance in apprehending the suspect.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Tyler Munyer at 951-461-6365 or by email at tmunyer@murrietaca.gov.”
