Double murder suspect arrested in Blythe

An 18-year-old suspect accused of killing of two men is in custody Wednesday following a homicide investigation in Blythe.

Deputies responded to the 500 block of East Avenue A at 8:12 p.m. Monday after calls of two alleged gunshot victims in a parking lot, according to Sgt. Rafael Victorio of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Despite attempting life-saving measures, the two men were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Victorio. They were identified as Blythe residents Audelio Solorio, 45 and Deveon Keyshawn Smith, 27.

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Deputies closed the area to all traffic. The Colorado River Station, Central Homicide Unit, and the Coroner's Bureau  sent investigators to the area and found a second crime scene in the 900 block of East Avenue B , Victorio said.

While continuing their investigation Tuesday morning, authorities found and arrested Jose Angel Manjarrez on suspicion of murder, Victorio said. Manjarrez was booked into the Blythe Jail.

Riverside County inmate records show the suspect was at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside, being held on $1,000,000 bail. Manjarrez has an initial court appearance scheduled for Thursday at the Blythe Courthouse.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information was encouraged to contact the Central Homicide Unit's Investigator Munoz at 951-955-2777 or the Colorado River Station's Investigator Morlock at 760-921-7900.

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