Names Released Of Three Men Killed In Thermal Shooting

The Riverside County Coroner’s Office has released the names of the three men shot and killed in Thermal on Thursday.

Investigators identified Edgar Huerta-Gonzalez, 24, of Gardena; Adrian Villa Avalos, 29, of Gardena; and Gregorio Villa-Santoya, 23, whose city of residence was unknown, as the homicide victims.

The shooting happened shortly before 8 a.m. on Avenue 62, between Van Buren and Harrison, near the Thermal Airport.

Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies are still searching for suspects in the shooting, that left the men dead and another wounded.

When deputies arrived, they found one of the shooting victims had walked a block away to Avenue 61 to seek medical help, according to Sgt. Joe Borja. He was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he was listed in critical condition.

The remaining three victims were found dead from gunshot wounds about four hours later, at what deputies later determined was the actual crime scene, on Avenue 62.

Detectives believe all four were shot by the same gunman.

If you have any information on this deadly shooting call Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867).