Man Arrested For ‘Recklessly Firing Shotgun’

DESERT HOT SPRINGS -A 69-year-old man was arrested today on suspicion of recklessly firing his shotgun from his Desert Hot Springs home, police reported.

Leslie Jay Aaron surrendered about 3:20 a.m. at his home in the 66600 block of Hacienda Avenue, Desert Hot Springs police Sgt. Daniel Bressler said.

Police started receiving reports at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday of a gunshot heard in the area of Hacienda Avenue and Ocotillo Road, but officers were unable to find anything suspicious, Bressler said.

A second report came in nearly an hour later of four to five shots fired, but officers did not find anything, he said.

Around 1:40 this morning, police received a third report of three or four shots fired, and officers were able to narrow down the home where the shots were heard, according to Bressler.

While officers were evacuating neighbors around 3 a.m., officers heard a single shot and were close enough to smell the gunpowder in the air, the sergeant said.

About 15 minutes later, officers saw Aaron pacing inside his home, police found his phone number and called him, according to Bressler.

After a short conversation, Aaron came outside and gave himself up, he said.

Police have not determined why the shots were fired.

A shotgun and several spent rounds were found inside the home, Bressler said.