Fourth Suspect Arrested In Desert Hot Springs Shooting

A fourth person suspected in the shooting of a 16-year-old boy in Desert Hot Springs was behind bars today.

Samson Garcia Martinez, 18, a transient in Desert Hot Springs, was arrested about 10:30 p.m. Thursday in Palm Springs on suspicion of attempted murder and being a gang member, said Sgt. Daniel Bressler of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

Martinez is suspected — along with two other men and a teenager — in the April 6 non-fatal shooting of a teen in the area of West Drive and Via Real, Bressler said.

The boy was found with a gunshot wound to his upper body in the parking lot of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department on Pierson Boulevard and West Drive.

A witness reported that several people in a vehicle may have been involved in a shooting, according to Bressler.

An officer saw a vehicle matching the witness’ description and stopped a 2006 Ford Taurus, which had three people inside, according to Bressler.

Daivon Davell Johnson, 21, William Shack, 20, and a 15-year-old boy were arrested. The teen was later released to his parents, Bressler said.

Investigators believe the shots were fired from the Taurus, and a loaded gun was found in the car, the sergeant said.

Martinez was believed to have been in the car before police found the vehicle.

He was jailed on $1 million bail.