Boy Killed In Palm Springs Shootout, Wounded People Sought

PALM DESERT, CA — A 15-year-old boy was killed in a late-night shooting in Palm Springs, and investigators are seeking at least two other victims who were likely wounded in the gunfire.

The boy, whose identity has not been released, was found dead in the front yard of a home located in the 300 block of Avenida Cerca around midnight Wednesday, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

The boy's body was discovered as officers were investigating several reports of gunfire in the Desert Highland Gateway Estates area. They determined that a shooting had occurred between the occupants of a stolen Ford Explorer and people in a home near the intersection of N Granada Avenue and Bon Air Drive, the Palm Spring Police Department reported.

Officers found the Explorer abandoned and shot up with bullets, and numerous shell casings in the road, the department said.

As officers searched the neighborhood, they found the dead boy, who investigators believe was connected to the stolen Explorer.

"Investigators found evidence that at least two additional people were injured in this incident. The extent of those injuries is unknown, and hospitals have not reported additional victims," the department said in a released statement.

Palm Springs Police Department detectives and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Forensic Unit are conducting the investigation and are looking at a connection between the shooting and the ongoing violence in and around the area in recent months.

Several other shootings and three homicides have been reported in the area, including a non-injury shooting on Aug. 21 at the same intersection where the abandoned Explorer was found.

Earlier this month, Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes said growing reports of violence in certain neighborhoods in northern Palm Springs was the result of a clash between two rival gangs. His announcement came during a special meeting called by the City Council three days after more than 100 law enforcement officers served search warrants in the Desert Highland Gateway Estates and Santiago Sunrise Village neighborhoods.

The operation was the culmination of a nearly yearlong investigation into 24 confirmed shootings in and around those neighborhoods, including the three homicides, dating to October of last year. In that time, police say they received another 61 reports of shots fired in those neighborhoods, although evidence of gunfire was not found.

In a joint statement released Thursday afternoon, Palm Springs City Council members said, “The Palm Springs City Council is deeply saddened and concerned about last night’s homicide in Desert Highland Gateway Estates and the continued violence that has escalated between rival gangs. We want our residents to know that your safety is our number one priority.

"The Palm Springs Police Department has significantly increased their presence in the northern part of the city — in addition to continued efforts with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Regional Gang Impact Team, in cooperation with federal partners and other regional task forces, to investigate this incident so that justice can be found.

"PSPD continues to collaborate with the neighborhoods involved in the incident to address the roots of the violence.

"The City Council is committed to further discussing and addressing the underlying causes and factors of the violence — and how to put a stop to it. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the victim and the community.”

In a separate video statement from council member Grace Garner, whose District 1 includes the Desert Highlands Gateway Estates where the shooting occurred, said, "The violence that occurs in our city is tragic and my heart goes out to the families of the victims and the entire community affected by these losses.

"It's important that we understand the impacts of the suffocating effect of the pandemic and the anxiety that comes with economic insecurities. These problems require structural and community solutions and I am committed to working together with you to achieve this.

"In the short term, support, consideration and compassion for our young people and families are necessary for our collective health.

"We need to unite to empower and realize the potential of the Palm Springs we want to see.

"I'm here for you guys. I'll keep communicating with you. I want to hear from you. What do you need? What additional support and community programs would benefit you and your family?

"We have a long road ahead, but we have to trust that together we will get through this stronger as a community," she said.

Anyone with information about the killing, and/or the people who were wounded, are asked to contact the Palm Springs Police Department Crimes Against Persons Unit at 760-323-8129 or report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.

—City News Service contributed to this report.