Norco Carjacking Ends Tragically for 79-Year-Old Veteran James Norman
James Norman lost his life during a violent carjacking at a Norco gas station that has shaken the Southern California community. Norman’s family mourns the loss of a man who was a beloved father and grandfather. How could this situation have been prevented?
Veteran’s Life Cut Short in Violent Carjacking
James Norman, a 79-year-old Army veteran, was brutally killed on May 12, 2025, while vacuuming his Chevy Trailblazer at a gas station in Norco, California. What started as a routine car cleaning ended in tragedy when 29-year-old Ryan Hewitt seized the opportunity to steal the running vehicle, unaware or unconcerned that Norman was still partially inside.
Norman’s daughter, Nicole Lauritsen, believes her father likely didn’t hear the carjacker due to not wearing his hearing aids at the time. “He didn’t have his hearing aids in, so I’m guessing he didn’t hear with the vacuum on, and all of a sudden, the car is just backing up,” she explained to investigators following the incident.
Family’s Heartbreak and Investigation
Norman had planned to meet his family for dinner that evening, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking for his loved ones. Lauritsen received a shocking call from a sheriff’s deputy asking if there was a way to track her father’s phone, to which she responded that she could track his car instead.
The AirTag that Lauritsen had previously placed in her father’s vehicle proved crucial in helping authorities locate the stolen SUV and apprehend the suspect. This small piece of technology provided the critical link that led investigators to Hewitt, who now faces serious criminal charges for his actions.
Norman’s family has established a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and outstanding medical bills following his untimely death. The veteran leaves behind his wife, two daughters, two sons-in-law, and a grandson who will remember him for his adventurous spirit and dedication to family.
According to his family, Norman lived “a modest, basic life, but also an adventurous life” that included service in the Army and careers in construction, vehicle transport, and even aviation as a pilot. His passion for travel took him across the United States, and he was known for captivating those around him with stories from his experiences.
Lauritsen expressed hope that her father’s passing was quick, saying, “I just hope he went quickly and I’m grateful for the people — and I hope to meet them — that surrounded him and protected his body so he wasn’t just out in the middle of the road.” The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Corona Police Department continue their investigation into this senseless act of violence that claimed the life of a respected veteran.
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