Third man arrested in shooting of Fontana man who confronted taggers

A third man has been arrested on attempted murder charges in connection with the shooting last week of a 41-year-old man who confronted two taggers in his neighborhood.

Daniel Casas, 22, of Fontana, served as the driver for the two taggers who opened fire Sept. 2 in front of the home of the 41-year-old man and his 18-year-old son, said Fontana Police Sgt. Jeff Decker.

The two alleged shooters -- Angel Valencia, 19, and Andrew Valdivia, 18 -- pleaded not guilty in Fontana Superior Court this morning to two counts each of attempted murder.

Casas was arrested late Friday, and may be arraigned on two charges of attempted murder Tuesday, Decker said. Valencia and Valdivia were arrested Thursday.

At about 9:30 p.m. the day of the shooting, Valencia and Valdivia, both of Fontana, approached the 18-year-old man in the Southridge neighborhood of south Fontana, police said.

They told him they were gang members, then walked down the street and began spray-painting graffiti on a wall, police said.

The 18-year-old man went home to tell his 41-year-old father about the taggers, and the two returned to the area with baseball bats to confront Valencia and Valdivia, police said.

The two alleged taggers fled when confronted, but returned shortly afterward to the other men's home, police said.

They opened fire while the 41-year-old man and his son were outside, striking the father in the neck and back, police said.

The 41-year-old man survived his injuries. His son was not hurt, police said.

Casas, the driver, faces attempted murder charges rather than a lesser charge of being an accessory to the crime because police say he had knowledge that Valencia and Valdivia intended to kill when they reached the home.

"In that lies his culpability for the crime," Decker said.

The three men charged with attempted murder potentially face enhanced sentences because police say they are members of a street gang.