One year anniversary of double murder near Candy Cane Lane

Friends and family came together around candles and a small Christmas tree Monday night to mark the one year anniversary of the day David Chavez and the unborn baby, Atreyu, died in a after a road rage shooting. Residents recount the night when some said they heard a sound they couldn’t ignore. “I didn’t know what happened but I knew they were gunshots because I heard them and I heard that before in the neighborhood,” Cathedral City resident Robert Morris said. “Traffic stopped on the street. I didn’t know what was going on. I heard a few sirens,” Candy Cane Lane Homeowner Sam Defeo said. A family on their way to see holiday decorations saw the aftermath just two blocks from the crowds at Candy Cane Lane. The family who asked to remain anonymous, said they rushed out of their cars that night when they saw Chavez’s car littered with bullet holes, his body on the ground and his pregnant girlfriend, Roxanne, shot in the stomach, crying for help. Roxanne, who survived said she knows she’s lucky to be alive. “You and your husband were the first ones to come and help me, your husband came to me and asked me if I was OK, and you grabbed me and tried to give me hope by telling me my baby was moving,” Roxanne said. One year later, friends and family said they look for ways to move forward in their lives, but they will never forget the two lives they lost because of senseless violence.

If anyone has information about the shooter or about the case, the public is asked to contact the Cathedral City Police Department or Valley Crime Stopper at (760) 341-STOP.