Man with Kern County ties suspected in Southern California man's killing
Jan 23, 2025
(KTLA) -- Police are searching for a man with a criminal history in Kern County, now accused of beating an elderly man to death with a baseball bat in San Bernardino County.
The suspect was identified as Ronalee Barrett Stanberry, 37, according to the Fontana Police Department. The victim was only identified as a 79-year-old man.
On Jan. 10, police responded to an assault at Allstate Insurance on the 9700 block of Sierra Avenue in Fontana shortly before 9 a.m.
Stanberry allegedly attacked the victim with a baseball bat before he was chased off by the victim’s son, police said. The unprovoked attack occurred as the victim was opening up his business for the day, according to investigators.
Stanberry fled the scene on foot and was last seen heading towards the eastbound 10 Freeway onramp at Sierra Avenue.
The victim was rushed to the hospital where he died from his injuries 11 days later on Jan. 21.
The suspect, Ronalee Barrett Stanberry, 37, is seen in booking photos from the Fontana Police Department. Distinct tattoos on Ronalee Barrett Stanberry's arm is seen in a booking photo from the Fontana Police Department. Surveillance footage of the victim's son grabbing the suspect's baseball bat while fighting him off on Jan. 10, 2025. (Fontana Police Department)Surveillance footage of the suspect fleeing the scene after a deadly assault in Fontana on Jan. 10, 2025. (Fontana Police Department)Surveillance footage of the suspect fleeing the scene after a deadly assault in Fontana on Jan. 10, 2025. (Fontana Police Department)The suspect, Ronalee Barrett Stanberry, 37, is seen in a booking photo from the Fontana Police Department.
The suspect is described as a transient who often travels by train and has ties to Chino, Los Angeles, and Kern County -- where he was most recently arrested.
Stanberry pleaded guilty in Kern County in 2023 to assault with force likely to result in great bodily injury, court records show. He was sentenced to three years in prison, but already had credits for more than 200 days.
In 2018, he pleaded no contest to threatening a person then entering their property, records show. He received a two-year sentence.
He has multiple convictions for vandalism.
The suspect was last seen wearing a white with blue pinstripe U.S. Postal Service button-up shirt that was stolen from the victim's business, along with black pants and black athletic shoes. He has several tattoos on his arms and tattoos above his eyebrows with the words "Active" and "Whiteboy."
“The Fontana Police Department is committed to bringing justice for the victim and his family,” officials said.
Anyone with information on the suspect or details about the case is urged to call Detective Hart at 909-854-8172 or dial 911.
KGET's Jason Kotowski contributed to this story.