Officials have announced the arrest of four individuals in connection with the murder of security guard Anthony Rivas at an illegal casino in the Hollywood Hills. The suspects, identified as Rudy Javier Madrid, Matthew Scott Riley, Michael John Blankenship, and Stephen Hans Dunkel, were apprehended on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on May 31 around 4 a.m. at a hookah lounge located in the 3300 block of Cahuenga Boulevard. Riley and Madrid entered the club through the back entrance wearing masks and confronted Rivas. According to investigators, Rivas attempted to draw his gun but was unable to do so before being shot multiple times by one of the assailants.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Rivas, aged 32, was pronounced dead. The investigation revealed that the hookah lounge served as a front for an illegal casino. Dunkel, believed to be a former dealer at the casino, served as the getaway driver, while Blankenship acted as a decoy. The LAPD’s Valley Homicide team, responsible for the arrests, suspects the group to be involved in other unreported armed robberies at underground casinos.
The four suspects appeared in court on Wednesday. Rivas is survived by his wife and two young children, and his family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with expenses.
