Cops Search for Answers as Unborn Child, Man Killed Near Popular Holiday Lights Display

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA- A car with a man, a pregnant woman and three children inside was shot up just blocks from Cathedral City’s “Candy Cane Lane” Christmas lights, killing the man and the unborn child, and prompting a manhunt this weekend.

The dead man was identified Sunday as David Chavez, 38, of Indio. His girlfriend was publicly identified only as a woman, 35 weeks pregnant, who was operated on at a hospital.

She was reported to have stable life signs as of Sunday, but the nearly full- term baby was lost. Three other children in the car escaped injury.

Police in the Coachella Valley were looking the driver of a late 1990s dark-colored 2-door SUV, similar to a Chevy Blazer or GMC Jimmy. There may have been two or more passengers in the small GM vehicle.

“We are appealing to the passengers of the suspect vehicle to come forward” and contact police, said Sgt. Andrew Diaz.

Officers also asked members of the public who visited the “Candy Cane Lane” section of Minerva Road to give them access to their video or pictures. Numerous people were believed to have been in the popular area with cameras or phones, and they were asked by Cathedral City police to call them at (760) 770-0300.

Three children, two of them age 5, and one 12, were also inside the car when the shooting broke out. However, they were able to escape the gunfire unharmed, and it was not immediately clear if there was a family relationship with the man and woman.

The shootings were reported at 8:55 p.m. Saturday near Tortuga Road and Avenida La Vista, said Sgt. Jon Enos of the Cathedral City Police Department.

Police found Chavez dead at the scene.

The shooter was described as a bald Hispanic man in his 30s, 5-foot-7- inches tall and 200 pounds, with a mustache and goatee. He was last seen wearing a grey shirt and blue denim shorts while running south through the desert area near Date Palm Drive and Tortuga Road.

The shooting occurred a few blocks from Cathedral City’s “Candy Cane Lane,” otherwise known as Minerva Road, which is known locally for its Christmas decorations adorning houses along the street.

“This tragic and senseless crime, during a time when families look towards sharing joyous time together, is all the more horrendous given the meaning of the season. Added to this is the sheer number of families and children in the area at the time of this heinous and violent crime,” he said.

“Every crime we investigate is important, but the cold and callous nature of this violent crime makes it imperative we find the suspect,” said Diaz.

– By City News Service.