Man fatally assaulted in Hesperia, suspect jailed on suspicion of murder

A Hesperia man is accused of murder after he allegedly assaulted and fatally injured another man over the weekend, authorities said.

Jose Ramon Gonzalez, 28, has been booked on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 44-year-old Walter Martinez of Hesperia, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials and booking records.

The violence unfolded about 4:45 p.m. Sunday at Main Street and Oakwood Avenue, officials said.

Deputies responded to a report of a "man down" when they encountered Martinez, who was unconscious and suffering from head trauma, the sheriff's department said in an written statement . He was hospitalized in critical condition.

Investigators quickly identified Gonzalez as a suspect in the attack and arrested him at a nearby business at the corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue, officials said.

Gonzalez was initially booked on suspicion of attempted murder.

However, Martinez died on Monday at a hospital, and the allegation was upgraded to murder, according to the sheriff's department. Bail was set at $1 million.

It was not clear Tuesday whether any weapons were involved in the alleged assault, nor whether the two men knew one another prior to the incident.

The fatal assault was the second homicide in Hesperia in two days.

A body was discovered about 6:50 a.m. Monday in a dirt field at Main Street and Escondido Avenue. No description of the person or details regarding a possible cause of death were released.

More: Homicide detectives investigate discovery of body in Hesperia field

Anyone with information on either case can reach the Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail at (909) 890-4904. Information may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Man fatally assaulted in Hesperia, suspect jailed on suspicion of murder