Suspect in Blythe double murder released

BLYTHE, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Two people were found dead in the evening of July 8 and the 18-year-old suspect in the case has been released, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office (RCSO).

Blythe officers, assisted by deputies, were called about shots fired at about 8:12 p.m. in the area of East Avenue A. Two victims were found in the Short Stop Car Wash parking lot on East Hobsonway. Life-saving measures were attempted but both victims were then pronounced deceased on scene.

A secondary crime scene was also found in the area of East Avenue B.

The victims have been identified as 45-year-old Audelio Solorio and 27-year-old Deveon Keyshawn Smith, both residents of Blythe. Next of kin have been notified. The victims were related as Smith was Solorio’s nephew.

Solorio will be at rest with his 23-year-old son Audelio Jesus who passed away on Christmas Eve 2023.

He leaves behind four children: 20-year-old Alicia, 19-year-old Jennifer, 18-year-old Gabriel, and 9-month-old Genesis.

Smith leaves behind three children: 8-year-old Deveon Keyshawn Smith Jr., 5-year-old Aiyanna, and 6-month-old Damir.

A suspect has been identified from Blythe. He was initially arrested and booked into the Blythe Jail for murder, then was later released with no charges.

The family of the victims say they are outraged and want justice.

Claudia Ramirez, Smith's mom and Solorio's sister, says she wants the former suspect to pay for what he did.

"It makes me very angry and upset about it because that's not right. I mean, he killed two people. I don't care, you know, there's nothing about good people bad people, it doesn't matter. They're human beings," Ramirez says.

Jorden Peoples, Smith's significant other, was in the car when shots were fired Monday night.

She says she ran out of the car and saw the former suspect near the bodies.

"When I got out of the car, the first thing I did was run up to him and I started hitting him and I told him he was not going to get away with this. I'm going to make sure he goes to jail. I'm going to make sure that my husband gets justice and my tio," Peoples described.

"He told me he had to do it. What else does that mean? You know, my husband we weren't there no longer than a minute. There was nothing else that could have gone on."

Peoples says Smith knew the suspect.

"He did know him. He did know him. They once upon a time used to be friends and used to be cool but everything changed because of many reasons," Peoples says.

Peoples said her kids were in the car when the shooting happened and Deveon was killed on his son's 8th birthday.

She says she has evidence to prove who pulled the trigger.

"I have a picture of that little boy on my phone at 8:02. I took a picture of him. I took a picture of his car. There's nothing wrong with him. If something happened to him, you would notice it on his face," says Peoples.

The former suspect's brother, Xavier Manjarrez, says he doesn't have a good relationship with his sibling. 

He shared his thoughts on how the police are handling this case.

"I feel like they're a lot on his side and they're taking his side more than anything and they're not making it a big deal," Manjarrez says.

We reached out to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office as to why the suspect was released.

A response was sent to us stating: "The case has been referred by our office back to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Central Homicide Unit for further investigation. There are some questions our office has about the incident that the agency will be looking into. This is still an active and on-going investigation."

We also reached out to the Blythe Police Department and are waiting to hear back.

In the meantime, all the families have left are the memories of Solorio and Smith.

"He loved his kids, he loved his wife, his family, he was really happy," Ramirez says.

"He was the best, he was the best dad. I could call him no matter what time when our son was crying. If he wasn't home, if he was somewhere, and I'll call him and tell him he was crying and need him and he would come so fast. He would be there in a second. A protector," Peoples describes.

Nathalie Carillo, Solorio's wife says her husband was the best dad anyone could ask for.

"Yes he gave tough love, and raised them a little strict but he did it for their own good. He was scared. He didn't wanna lose his kids. His kids were everything," says Carillo.

The family asks for justice and for the person responsible to be put behind bars.

"It's not fair that my little girl, their dad, got taken away from them. She didn't even have a year full with him. It's not fair. Look at her, she doesn't even know what's going on," Carillo continues.

Francisa Nuñez, Solorio's mom was also very emotional and shared a cry for help.

"I just want justice! I don't want anything bad for anybody," Nuñez stated.

The family says this is a nightmare they wish they can wake up from.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Investigator Munoz with the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777 or Investigator Morlock at the Colorado River Station at (760) 921-7900.