Shots Fired During Indio Burglary

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is still piecing together it’s investigation into a home invasion on Monday that ended with a suspect being shot.

Just after 4 p.m., deputies were called to a burglary in-progress on the 81000 block of Francis Avenue in an unincorporated area that is surrounded by the City of Indio.

The Sheriff’s Department still hasn’t released whether or not they have their suspect, but less than a half hour after the shooting, a man showed up at Eisenhower Medical Center with gunshot wounds.

Two suspects forced their way into a taped off home in the neighborhood known as the “island,” according to deputy Angel Ramos.

A man inside the home said he shot one of the suspects, and then called police.

“If he came to my house, he’d get the same thing,” said a neighbor.

The suspects ran out of the home, and then jumped into a white Honda and sped off, according to authorities.

Once the Sheriff’s Department arrived, deputies phoned local hospitals and asked that they contact investigators if anyone showed up, claiming they were shot.

“We later received information that an individual at Eisenhower showed up with a gunshot wound,” said Ramos.

Francis Avenue was shutdown for several hours, as investigators spoke with neighbors who witnessed what happened.

“I was right here in my room, and I was looking out the blinds and I just seen the cop,” said Jesse Benavidez, 15, who lives down the block.

Benavidez’ step-father, Eric Torres, left the house just minutes before the shooting.

But Torres still praised his neighbor for taking action.

“You’ve got to protect your home, if someone comes on your property,” said Torres.

“We encourage anyone to call the Sheriff’s Department before taking any action,” said Ramos. But people have the right to protect themselves inside their house.”

The Sheriff’s Department has not released yet the condition of the man with gunshot wounds here at Eisenhower Medical Center.