Indio Police Search For More Suspects In Boy’s Shooting

Police today continued looking for additional suspects in a car-to-car shooting in Indio that injured a 4-year-old boy, three days after the arrest of a suspect.

Police believe there are more people involved in the shooting than just Javontae Garcia, Ben Guitron of the Indio Police Department said today.

The victim lives in a gang injunction zone, one enacted following a massive sting in December. Guitron also said today that because Garcia has no gang-related activity on his record, the department does not believe the Feb. 21 shooting is gang related.

Garcia, 25 of La Quinta, was arrested over the weekend in connection to the shooting. He was taken into custody on suspicion of inflicting great bodily injury and assault with a firearm, but was released from the Indio jail on $100,000 bond Saturday.

Garcia was arrested after search warrants were served at six Coachella Valley homes Friday morning. One of the persons of interest detained, he admitted to being responsible for the shooting during an interview with investigators, Guitron said.

Adam Noah De Leon was shot in the stomach Feb. 21 while in his front yard in the 45600 block of Monte Verde Street. Witnesses said suspects in a blue crew-cab pickup truck and a dark-colored Chevrolet S10 Blazer with tinted windows were exchanging gunfire when Adam was struck by a stray bullet.

Initially listed in critical condition, Adam underwent several surgeries at Loma Linda Medical Center and has since been released to an unspecified rehabilitation center.

“It is all positive on his end,” Guitron said recently.

Garcia is scheduled to be arraigned May 11 at the Larson Justice Center, according to court records.

A $13,500 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect.

The reward was initially $10,000, but seven residents and Councilman Glenn Miller have added more money.

“They are a big help,” Guitron said of the tips. “We are still seeking anyone who has leads to clues to contact us.”

The search warrants covered four homes near the Indio neighborhood where Adam was shot, a residence in Coachella and the La Quinta location where Garcia was detained.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call Indio police at (760) 391-4057 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP.