On January 5, 2021, about 8:25 PM, Lake Elsinore Station Deputies were dispatched to a call of an unresponsive male adult in a vehicle in the 29000 block of Central Ave, city of Lake Elsinore. Upon deputies’ arrival, it was determined a 26-year-old male adult was deceased. Through extensive investigation by investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Overdose Death Investigations and Narcotics Unit and the Lake Elsinore Station, it was determined the decedent, Gavin Battle, was a victim of homicide due to a Fentanyl poisoning. The investigation was continuously worked over the next several months and a suspect, Everardo Rodriguez (30) from the city of Lake Elsinore, was determined as being the suspect responsible for selling the Fentanyl that killed Battle.
On March 4, 2022, Rodriguez was located and taken into custody without incident and booked for Murder. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Investigator Hollingsworth at 951-955-1700. As a reminder, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind citizens of the dangers of illicit narcotics many which may contain Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine and can cause death or serious bodily harm.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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