Zackary Brodowski, 32, from Calimesa, California, faces charges of murder and attempted murder after allegedly shooting his half-brother, Aaron Richard Rivera, 36, dead in a Redlands apartment on December 23, 2025. Police responded to reports of shots fired at the Rivera Apartments on Kansas Street, finding Rivera with multiple gunshot wounds. Brodowski reportedly left the kitchen stove’s gas burners on, potentially endangering Rivera’s two sleeping children in an attempt to kill them.
Key Evidence and Arrest
- Surveillance Footage: Apartment cameras captured Brodowski fleeing in a silver 2008 Ford Focus immediately after the shooting.
- Vehicle and Suspect Location: Detectives tracked the car and Brodowski to his home in the 900 block of California Street, Calimesa (about 10 miles from Redlands).
- Search Findings: A SWAT-assisted surveillance led to his arrest without incident. A search warrant yielded the suspected murder weapon and matching clothing.
- Detention: He’s held without bail at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
Redlands sits in San Bernardino County’s Inland Empire, known for suburban sprawl east of LA. This case highlights family violence risks in multi-unit housing, with quick police work via video and vehicle tracing preventing further harm.
For official updates, check the Redlands Police Department press release or local outlets like the Redlands Daily Facts. Interested in similar cases or California murder statutes (e.g., Penal Code §187 for murder)?
