Woman Claims Deadly Shooting Was Self-Defense

Palm Springs police released a woman from custody on Saturday night who admitted she shot and killed a man who was trying to collect rent from her.

Vanessa Mascolino told News Channel 3 her actions were in self-defense.

She showed us her broken arm, a swollen eye and bruises to her body. She said they were all the result of the Saturday night fight that ended with her alleged attacker dead.

The shooting happened around 7 p.m. at the Desert Moon Spa and Resort in Palm Springs.

Mascolino said she shot and killed Robby Gilmore, 39, after she refused to pay him the rent.

“I was trying to save my life, and I shot him, two or three times” said Mascolino. She said Gilmore got physical with her Thursday night, and on Friday she filed a restraining order.

Mascolino said she had already made arrangements to pay the rent with her landlord. Neighbors say Gilmore was in charge of the separate living complex of the resort.

On Saturday night, when Mascolino refused to pay Gilmore the rent, she said an argument escalated. She said he chased her around the pool area, before hitting her in the head, punching her in the face and breaking her hand.

“I was kicking to try and get him away from me. He kept pulling and punching my head. Then, I shot him in self-defense,” said Mascolino.

Both were taken to the hospital, where Gilmore died from his injuries.

Mascolino had non-life-threatening injuries, and was detained while police investigated, said police spokeswoman Rhonda Long.

Several people saw the fight, said Mascolino, but she said no one helped her.

“She was sitting down and talking, and everyone wasn’t really paying attention,” said a neighbor who knew Gilmore. “They just thought they were arguing, and then I went in my house to use the restroom, and I just heard gun shots and came out and she was shooting in the air. We were ducking and hiding, it was pretty scary.”

“I feel horrible,” Moscolino said. “I’m lucky. I know he was trying to kill me, when he was smashing my head into the concrete, trying to put my head out. Yeah, he was trying to kill me!”

Palm Springs police released Mascolino from custody as their investigation continues.