October 9, 2023 
Donations to Ricardo Mendoza’s GoFundMe page can be made here.
At 2:15 am on Thursday, October 5th, amateur rider Lily Berlin was awoken in the RV Park at Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, California by the sound of gunshots.
The mother of three left the safety of her camper to investigate and stumbled upon a grisly scene in the outdoor warm up ring. Grooms Ricardo Mendoza and Martin Cazares were bleeding from gunshot wounds. Mendoza had been shot in the neck. Cazares, in his left arm.
“I have to believe in some kind of higher power that made me decide to go and see,” said Berlin.
“I found Martin and Ricardo, surrounded by Ricardo’s older brother Victor Jr. and another friend, who were already applying pressure to Ricardo’s neck with a grooming towel. Martin was clutching his left arm to apply pressure to his own wound and trying to use his cell phone with his left hand.”
Berlin immediately recognized Ricardo and Victor Jr.—”I consider them friends,” she said—and stepped into help.
“I quickly assessed that Ricardo was much more seriously injured and gave my immediate attention to assisting him. The night check lady arrived and handed me her cell phone, which had a 911 operator on the other line. That operator spoke to me in English about what we could do to help the victim and I translated that into Spanish for Ricardo’s brother and friend.”
With Ricardo losing consciousness and a tremendous amount of blood, she said it was a tortuous 20 minutes before the ambulance arrived.
“It was the longest 20 minutes of my life,” said Berlin.
“I remember his brother and his friend screaming out in Spanish, ‘Hurry up, Where are they?’ I think we all thought that we were about to lose Ricardo.”
Ricardo was taken by ambulance to Kaiser Foundation Hospital in South Sacramento where he underwent the first of two emergency surgeries to treat his injuries and remains in intensive care. Martin was taken to UC Davis.
For the Mendoza family, that harrowing night is just the beginning of a difficult and uncertain future for their youngest son.
Just one week prior, Ricardo Mendoza celebrated his 21st birthday and was looking forward to the birth of his first child in December. He’s one of four children himself in the Mendoza family, hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico, and comes from a family of career grooms.
“Ricardo’s father, Victor, has worked as a groom his whole life and so has his uncle, Javier,” shared Berlin.
Ricardo started working with horses at age 13 and has been a regular on the A circuit on the west coast for the past four years, working as an independent groom at such prestigious events as Desert International Horse Park, Sonoma Horse Park, Del Mar Horse Park, the Horse Park at Woodside and more.
The week prior in Sacramento, he stepped in to work for Team Calipso with professional show jumper Daniel Zilla and Eduardo Travinio when Zilla’s usual groom wasn’t available.
“He’s very kind, respectful, polite—with people and horses. Sometimes people are good with horses, but with humans they’re a little short and he was really nice and responsible, all the time in a good humor,” said Zilla. “He’s a super nice kid, and very mature. I told him how happy I was to work with him.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Berlin:
“Ricardo is gentle, kind, very respectful. I’m more than twice his age and he treats me always with great respect. He’s just a really nice young man and I say that being a mother of three myself and having opinions about who I would want my children around.”
The other victim, Martin Cazares, is also an established member of the west coast equestrian community. He’s worked for Longview Stable in Novato, CA for the past 12 years and is a father of three young children.
The circumstances that triggered the altercation have yet to be made public. The shooting reportedly happened after an annual soccer game organized at the venue on Wednesday evening and is currently under investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s office.
A request for an update on the case was not returned by press time, though Berlin says the witnesses have been cooperating with the police and a suspect has been identified.
For young Ricardo, the future holds more questions than answers.
“He is critically injured. He’s going to be in the ICU for a long time and he is fighting for his life,” said Berlin, who has been in constant contact with the medical team and the Mendoza family while Ricardo’s parents traveled from Mexico to be with their son.
“He had to have two emergency surgeries and needs a third facial reconstruction surgery when he is stable enough to repair his fractured jaw and clean up the extensive damage inside his mouth,” she continued.
“The doctors explained that they don’t actually have a precedent for injuries like this because every bullet that enters the human body is unique in the destruction path that it takes. They’re like wrecking balls.”
The medical team has not been able to ascertain whether Ricardo was struck by one bullet or two, said Berlin. One bullet is known to have entered his neck. Another may have entered his mouth. Miraculously, he did not suffer brain damage but is currently unable to breathe, sit or use his legs on his own. It is hoped that Ricardo’s condition will improve once the swelling in his body is reduced.
“At the moment, there’s not a ton of answers for the family or for Ricardo. In these cases, nothing is for sure. We only know that we have today. We cannot say what tomorrow brings.”
While Ricardo cannot speak due to the extent of his injuries, he is fully aware and conscious.
“He gave me a thumbs up on Facetime today,” said Berlin.
“Even through all of those restrictions and injuries, he has still managed to charm every doctor and nurse that comes in contact with him. I have been repeatedly told by multiple doctors and nurses they can tell he is a really great person.
“I just want Ricardo to be supported. I can’t tell you what an absolute nightmare his situation is from a physical injury standpoint. We are currently trying to organize accommodation for his wife so she can come and be with him.”
GoFundMe pages have been set up for both victims. Ricardo Mendoza’s page has raised $23,803 of its $100,000 goal at press time. Martin’s page has raised $34,475 or its $50,000 goal. Sacramento International Horse Show donated $5,000 to each page.
Ricardo’s parents expressed their gratitude for the support shown to their son.
“My wife and I are devastated by the tragedy that has forever changed our son’s life and that of our entire family,” said Victor Mendoza. “Many members of our family have spent years working in the horse show community and we are grateful to all of those people from this community who encircled our boys when we were traveling to get to them. Horses bring people together. Thank you to everyone who is helping Ricardo.”
One thing that is clear: much more help will be needed in the months ahead.
Click here to donate to Ricardo Mendoza’s GoFundMe Page.
Click here to donate to Martin Cazares’ GoFundMe Page.
