Ex-TV Reporter Accused of Hate Crime Shootings in SoCal After Asking Victims' Ethnicities

Ricardo Berron, a former Univision and Telemundo journalist, allegedly shot at two men while inquiring about their ethnicities in separate incidents.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:29pm

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A former San Diego television journalist named Ricardo Berron has been arrested and is facing potential hate crime charges after he allegedly shot at two men in separate incidents while asking about their ethnicities. Berron, who previously worked for Univision and Telemundo, was arrested at the San Diego airport as he was leaving for vacation. Forensic evidence connected him to the two shootings, which occurred on Palomar Mountain in October 2025 and February 2026. In both cases, the victims said the gunman asked about their ethnicity before opening fire.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns about hate-motivated violence and the targeting of minority communities in the San Diego area. The alleged actions of a former journalist raise troubling questions about bias, public safety, and the potential for extremism within media professions.

The details

In the first incident on October 6, 2025, Berron allegedly shot a man near the summit of Palomar Mountain as the victim was stargazing. The victim, Joseph Valentino, said the gunman asked if he was Mexican before shooting him in the arm. In the more recent incident on February 23, 2026, Berron allegedly fired a round through a person's car window near the same area of Palomar Mountain, again asking the victim about their ethnicity. Police executed a search warrant at Berron's home in Chula Vista and seized a 9mm firearm believed to have been used in at least one of the shootings.

  • On October 6, 2025, Berron allegedly shot a man near the summit of Palomar Mountain.
  • On February 23, 2026, Berron allegedly fired a round through a person's car window near Palomar Mountain.

The players

Ricardo Berron

A 46-year-old former television journalist who worked for Univision and Telemundo in the San Diego market and is now facing potential hate crime charges.

Joseph Valentino

The victim of the October 2025 shooting, who said the gunman asked if he was Mexican before shooting him in the arm.

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What they’re saying

“I raised my hands and asked him not to shoot. 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.”

— Joseph Valentino, Victim (Fox 5)

What’s next

Berron has been released on $100,000 bail and will be arraigned on March 17. The investigation into the shootings is ongoing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of hate-motivated violence and the need for vigilance in addressing bias, intolerance, and extremism, even within professions like journalism that are meant to serve the public interest.