Four House Party Shootings In Two Weeks Keep Police Busy

A pair of bullet holes — one on the window and one on the wall — became evidence of a house party gone bad.

The shooting happened at the 34-000 block of Rebecca Way in Rancho Mirage.

Neighbors of the apartment complex couldn’t believe it.

“It’s hard enough to hear about it,” said Michelle Wright, a 10-year resident. “But, when you’re up underneath it and see it, it’s really a shocker…a mindblower.”

The tenant where the shooting took place told News Channel 3 the party began as an innocent gathering for approximately eight young people in her patio.

She declined to be interviewed on-camera, but she said someone shot at the group through the patio’s entrance gate. Two females ended up shot: a 20-year-old and a juvenile.

Witnesses said a Hispanic man was seen running from the scene.

The two females suffered non-life threatening injuries.

This incident became the Coachella Valley’s fourth party shooting in two weeks.

The first one happened on July 17th in Indio. Two women were shot on Lilac Ct.

On Thursday night, July 21, Palm Springs police said a 19-year-old man allegedly arrived at a party on Aurora Dr. with a gun and shot himself in the leg.

On Saturday morning, law enforcement investigated that Rancho Mirage shooting as well as in Palm Springs on Sunview Ave. Police said about 20 people were at the Sunview Ave. location at the time possibly involved in a dispute.

Police found gunshot and blood evidence, but could not locate a shooting victim.

Residents and law enforcement officials offered suggestions on dealing with neighbors having an unruly party.

Paul Crippan, who is involved in his neighborhood watch, said he has no problem confronting his noisy neighbors.

“I think neighbors are afraid to do something,” the Palm Springs resident said. “But, if you approach –not in a defensive way– but just knock on the door and say, ‘It’s getting out of hand.'”

Deputy Angel Ramos, of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, agreed with that approach, but only if you know that neighbor, he said.

Otherwise, call police.

Residents in Crippan’s neighborhood made the effort to know each other.

“We have a network already,” Crippan said. “We have their phone numbers, their email addresses. So, we can contact them and ask, ‘What’s going on here?'”

Deputy Ramos also suggested: Use your common sense to decide whether to attend a house party.

If anyone at a party begins talking about guns, especially about having a gun, then it’s time to leave and notify the authorities, Ramos said.

Anyone with information about the Rancho Mirage or Palm Springs shootings can call Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP.

You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward.