December DHS shooting marks record-breaking year for murder
One of three victims of a Dec. 27th shooting in Desert Hot Springs has died, marking 31 murders in the Coachella Valley in 2014.
Ronnie Laday, 31, of Desert Hot Springs passed away from his injuries on Dec. 30, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
Laday’s death means the city of Desert Hot Springs had 7 murders in 2014, one fewer than Indio, with 8. Coachella had the third highest homicide rate in the Coachella Valley in 2014, with 5 people killed.
The previous record for murders in the Coachella Valley was 30, in 2011.
Desert Hot Springs has already logged one murder since Jan. 1. A 22 year old man was killed in a shooting within hours of the New Year on Calle Las Tiendas.
The shooting that killed Laday happened at a duplex at Desert View Avenue and Palm Drive, although police say a third victim was located on the 66400 block of Estrella Avenue.
The shooting victims were taken to a local hospital, where one person had major injuries, two others were non-life threatening.
A News Channel 3/CBS Local 2 viewer first called at 11:45 p.m. saying police officers, fire trucks and ambulances were on scene.
The viewer said her family heard about 12 gun shots fired and they saw at least two people taken out of the duplex on stretchers.
Investigators tell us off-camera that a marijuana grow was found in the duplex.
We have yet to learn the circumstances around this shooting, but no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to call DHS Police Sgt. Gus Paiz at (760) 329-6411 x325, or Valley Crimestoppers at (760) 341-STOP. Tips to Crimestoppers can be made anonymously.
