New Details Released In Desert Hot Springs Homicide

DESERT HOT SPRINGS – A 19-year-old who shot and killed another teen, and then wounded two other men in what police believe was a drug deal gone bad, is behind bars and being held on $1.5 million bail.

The apparently botched drug buy took place at about 1:45 a.m. Saturday near 5th Street and Golden Eagle Way in Desert Hot Springs, a few blocks from the police department headquarters and Desert Hot Springs High School, according to Desert Hot Springs police Sgt. Dan Bressler.

The suspect, who is being charged on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, has been identified as Christian Andrew Kong, 19, of Desert Hot Springs. He is jailed on $1.5 million bail.

Police received 911 calls Saturday about gunshots, and arrived to find a crashed white Chevy Malibu and three shooting victims, including one who died at the scene.

The dead man was identified as Melvin Thomas Hall, 19, of Indio. Two other men, identified as Troy Hill, 22, of Bermuda Dunes, and Deondre Gholar, 27, of Las Vegas, also suffered serious gunshot wounds and were taken to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries, Bressler said.

A fourth passenger was in the car at the time of the shootings, Bressler said, but was not hit by gunfire. She has been identified as Shayna Hill, 24, of Las Vegas.

Police believe several people were in the middle of a drug deal when Kong fired at the victims while they were seated in the car, Bressler said.

Hill was the only person in the car that did not get hit.

Desert Hot Springs Police and a CHP air unit found Kong shortly afterward at his home on the 66000 block of Avenida Dorado.

They surrounded the home and then, at about 8:30 a.m., saw him attempting to escape, Bressler said.

Police sent their K-9, Roy, after Kong. The four-footed officer then tracked him down, bit him in the hand and helped officers take him into custody, Bressler said.

Kong was treated at a local hospital for the bite wound and transported to Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

Several other people were inside the home, where police found several marijuana plants and “indications of marijuana sales,” Bressler said. They were detained for questioning and later released.

Police were able to locate the gun used in the shooting, a .357 revolver handgun that was reported stolen during a robbery in Desert Hot Springs, according to Bressler.

Police believe Kong was the only shooter in the incident. He is now being held at Robert Presley Detention Center and facing one murder charge and three attempted murder charges.

“As for the two injured subjects, both are in very serious condition at a local hospital,” Bressler said.

No other arrests have been reported at this time.