Wedding crashers allegedly beat groom to death hours after he got married, police say
A weekend wedding turned tragic after a man, who family and officials identified as the groom, was beaten to death.
Joe Melgoza, 30, suffered blunt force trauma to his head during a fight that broke out at his wedding in Chino, California, on Sunday around 2:20 a.m., according to a news release from police.
Officers began life-saving efforts at the scene on Melgoza before rushing him to Chino Valley Medical Center, where he died, police said.
Loved ones of Melgoza told ABC Los Angeles station KABC that he had gotten married hours before the incident.
Two men who allegedly tried to crash the wedding were the ones who beat him, the family told KABC.
Sgt. Dustin Tomicic, with Chino police, confirmed to ABC News that Melgoza was the groom and that the two suspects who allegedly beat him were not invited guests and had been asked to leave.
Police identified the suspects as Rony Aristides Castaneda Ramirez, 28, and his 19-year-old brother Josue Daniel Castaneda Ramirez.
Both were arrested and taken into custody after authorities located them at their home in Chino around 2 p.m. Sunday, police said.
It was not clear if they had been charged yet.
Authorities said that detectives are actively investigating the homicide.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Criminal Investigations Bureau Sergeant Dustin Tomicic at 909-334-3115.
