Man arrested in alleged Temecula road rage stabbing
A man accused in a fatal road rage attack on a 19-year-old motorist in the parking lot of the Walmart store in Temecula was being held Thursday in lieu of $100,000 bail.
James Beckham Fortney, 40, of Temecula was booked Wednesday into the Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of voluntary manslaughter.
Riverside County sheriff’s officials allege Fortney got into a physical confrontation with Kevin Rodriguez in a parking lot outside a Walmart, located at 32225 Temecula Parkway, about 12:15 p.m.
Witnesses said the two men were involved in a road rage altercation that culminated in the suspect tailing the victim into the parking lot, where he allegedly attacked Rodriguez, first choking, then stabbing him.
The victim was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Investigators spent hours at the scene, looking at camera phone video, Walmart security camera videos and speaking with witnesses before formally arresting Fortney.
The store remained open for business, although investigators cordoned off a section of the parking area while the investigation was completed.
Fortney has no prior documented felony convictions in Riverside County.
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