Michael Peter Subacz

Apple Valley, CA– Back on  Thursday April 8, 2010 at approximately 8:45 pm, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call reporting someone had been shot at an apartment complex in the 20400 block of Zuni in Apple Valley. Sheriff’s Deputies from the Apple Valley Police Department responded and found Michael Subacz suffering from a gunshot wound. Subacz was transported to St. Mary Medical Center where he died.

Sheriff’s Homicide was called to the scene and conducted a murder investigation. The Coroner’s Division performed an autopsy & determined Subacz died as a result of a gunshot wound.

Investigators determined a verbal argument escalated to a physical altercation between several females at the location. The apartment manager and Subacz stepped in to try to calm the situation and were assaulted by the three male subjects who had also come to the complex because of the on-going fight between the female residents. Rayford Newsome, who is also known by the moniker “Hen”, produced a firearm and shot several rounds toward the apartment manager and Subacz, striking Subacz at one time. Newsome fled the area in a lowered white Buick Skylark. Newsome is a known gang member and has ties to the High Desert as well as the Los Angeles area.

Homicide Detectives worked closely with the Apple Valley Police Department’s Gang Team and a Sheriff’s Regional Gang Enforcement Team and interviewed numerous individuals. Several witnesses positively identified Newsome as the shooter.

On Thursday, April 22, 2010 Rayford Newsome was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada for the murder of Michael Subacz. Las Vegas Metro’s SWAT Team assisted San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and the Sheriff’s Regional Gang Team arrested Newsome without incident at a residence in North Las Vegas. Newsome was extradited and returned to San Bernardino County on Friday, April 30, 2010.

A second suspect, Marcus Lewis Wade, 38 of Victorville was arrested on April 29, 2010 in Victorville for Petty Theft with a Prior. He was also charged in the murder and plead guilty to his involvement, agreeing to testify against Newsome.

On Monday May 2, 2011, after an approximate three week trial, a jury in Victorville found Rayford “Hen” Newsome, age 29 of Apple Valley guilty of 1st degree murder with a gang allegation. He was also found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted voluntary manslaughter for the assault on Mitchell Welsh, who was Subacz’ friend and the apartment manager. Sentencing for both Newsome and Wade is pending.

Murderers: