Teenager Charged In Botched Drug Deal-Turned Murder
KESQ.com News Services
INDIO -A 19-year-old Desert Hot Springs resident was charged today with shooting three men, killing one of them, in a botched drug deal in his hometown.
Christian Andrew Kong faces one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder, along with a misdemeanor charge of beating the police dog that was used to take him into custody.
Kong, who was arrested Saturday and held in lieu of $1.5 million bail, was set to be arraigned on the charges this afternoon.
Kong allegedly opened fire on a white Chevrolet Malibu with four people inside around 1:45 a.m. Saturday during a drug transaction near Fifth Street and Golden Eagle Way, said Sgt. Dan Bressler of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.
He is accused of shooting at Melvin Thomas Hall, 19, and his roommate Troy Hill, 22, both of Bermuda Dunes, along with Hill’s sister, Shayna Hill, 24, and her boyfriend, Deondre Gholar, 27, both of Las Vegas.
Responding officers found the Malibu crashed into a tree. Hall was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troy Hill, who was shot in the face, was placed on life support systems, but his condition was said to be improving and he may be weaned off a ventilator soon, Bressler said.
Gholar was shot in the leg, but Shayna Hill was not hit. Gholar was taken to Loma Linda Medical Center for surgery and remains hospitalized, Bressler said.
After the shooting, Kong fled to his Avenida Dorado home, where officers tracked him down with a canine unit, the sergeant said. Kong was treated at a hospital for a bite wound to his hand before being booked into jail.
Police found several marijuana plants and indications of marijuana sales at Kong’s home, Bressler said.
Investigators also recovered a .357 revolver that was allegedly used in the shooting. The gun was reported stolen during a robbery in the city, according to Bressler.
