Woman Pleads Guilty In Rancho Mirage Shooting

A woman accused of shooting a man during a squabble in a Rancho Mirage apartment, while her two young children were present, pleaded guilty to a felony firearm charge today and was immediately sentenced to probation and time in the sheriff’s labor program.

Andrea Marie Auclair, 28, pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Thomas N. Douglass, who dismissed a charge of assault with a deadly weapon. He sentenced Auclair to three years probation and 180 days in the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s labor program, according to court records.

On Jan. 15, deputies were summoned to a unit at the Rebecca Apartments at 69550 Rebecca Way, where a man had been shot in the chest, sheriff’s Sgt. Misty Reynolds said. Witnesses steered detectives to Auclair, who was arrested without incident, Reynolds said.

Authorities did not disclose a motive or the relationship between the defendant and the victim, who survived his wound. He was identified as “Frank Doe” in the criminal complaint.

County Child Protective Services workers took custody of Auclair’s two children, who were not hurt, Reynolds said.

Auclair was released on probation today, according to court records.