Cathedral City police step up patrol after double homicide
The Cathedral City Police Department is stepping up enforcement after a double homicide occurred just blocks from Cathedral City’s ‘Candy Cane Lane’ Christmas lights on Saturday night.
Officers are asking anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting with cell phone video or photos, that may help with the investigation, to call the department at 760-770-0313 ext. 320 or email info@cathedralcity.gov.
You can also call Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867 to report an anonymous tip.
The shooting happened just before 9 p.m.
A car was shot up with a man, a pregnant woman and three children sitting inside. The man and the unborn child were killed in the shooting and it prompted a manhunt on Sunday.
The man killed was identified as 38-year-old David Chavez of Indio. His girlfriend, who was 35 weeks pregnant, wasn’t identified by name. She was operated on at the hospital and was reportedly in stable condition Sunday, but the nearly full-term baby was lost.
Three other children in the car escaped injury. Officers said two of them were five years old and the other was 12 years old. It wasn’t immediately clear if there was a family relationship with the man and woman.
Police were looking for the driver of a late 1990s dark-colored 2-door SUV, similar to a Chevy Blazer or GMC Jimmy. There may have been two or more passengers in the small GM vehicle.
The shooter was described as a bald Hispanic man in his 30s, 5-foot-7-inches tall and 200 pounds, with a mustache and goatee. He was last seen wearing a grey shirt and blue denim shorts while running south through the desert area near Date Palm Drive and Tortuga Road.
“We are appealing to the passengers of the suspect vehicle to come forward” and contact police, said Sgt. Andrew Diaz.
Officers also asked members of the public who visited the “Candy Cane Lane” section of Minerva Road to give them access to their video or pictures.
Numerous people were believed to have been in the popular area with cameras or phones, and they were asked by Cathedral City police to call them at (760) 770-0300.
The Simmons family, widely known for its Dancing Christmas Lights Show at 68000 Estio Road, located close to Candy Cane Lane in Cathedral City, is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of the shooter(s).
“Our hearts and prayers goes out to all of the families who have been affected by this tragedy,” says Michael A. Simmons. The shooting occurred about an hour after the Simmons Family finished holding its annual “Visit from Santa Claus” event at the Simmons home, where thousands of local families attend each year. Simmons added, “We hope that by starting this reward and getting others to follow suit will prompt someone to come forward with information to help the Cathedral City Police Department solve this case. There are people who know who committed this act and [we] ask that you please come forward now.”
Report of shots fired:
The shootings were reported at 8:55 p.m. Saturday near Tortuga Road and Avenida La Vista, said Sgt. Jon Enos of the Cathedral City Police Department.
Police found Chavez dead at the scene.
The shooting occurred a few blocks from Cathedral City’s “Candy Cane Lane,” otherwise known as Minerva Road, which is known locally for its Christmas decorations adorning houses along the street.
“This tragic and senseless crime, during a time when families look towards sharing joyous time together, is all the more horrendous given the meaning of the season. Added to this is the sheer number of families and children in the area at the time of this heinous and violent crime,” he said.
“Every crime we investigate is important, but the cold and callous nature of this violent crime makes it imperative we find the suspect,” said Diaz.
UPDATE 7:30 a.m.A source close to the investigation said the pregnant woman shot in the stomach lost her unborn child. The adult male pronounced dead at the scene was the father of her child.
UPDATE 4:30 a.m.Police confirm one of the people shot is an adult male who died on scene. The other victim is an adult female who is in critical condition at a local hospital.
Cathedral City police said the investigation is still in the early stages and no suspect information is available at this time.
UPDATE 11:45 p.m. We’ve learned at least two people were shot in Cathedral City Saturday night. Family and friends say one victim is an expecting mother who is in the hospital and now out of surgery. The woman was visiting Candy Cane Lane before the shooting, according to friends and family. We believe another person died at the scene.
The shooting happened just before 9 p.m.
Still no word on a suspect description.
Original story
Police are investigating a shooting in Cathedral City near Candy Cane Lane.
There is a major police presence at Tortuga and Avenida La Vista. Our camera crew is on scene and confirms there is a body in the road.
One woman told us she heard about 15 gunshots.
We reached out to Cathedral City Police who have only confirmed they are working a shooting but have not said how many people were hurt or killed.
Tortuga between Avenida La Vista and Date Palm are closed while officers investigate.
Stay with News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 for the latest on this developing story.
