Police seek second suspect in alleged Palm Springs hate crime

One man has been charged and another is wanted after an alleged hate crime in Palm Springs early Saturday morning.

Officers with the Palm Springs Police Department responded to the Ivy Palm Resort and Spa on North Palm Canyon just after 1:30 a.m. Once they arrived, they were informed that a Hispanic man had fired several rounds at a black man and his family who had just arrived at their hotel from out of town, police said a release. The victim, his wife and their 16-year-old son were not injured. Police said the attack was unprovoked and that the victim and the suspect did not appear to know each other. Investigators said they believe the shooting may be racially motivated based on statements allegedly made by the suspect toward the victims before it happened.

The PSPD said officers located Ricardo Gomez, 19, of Desert Hot Springs. He was taken into custody without incident. Authorities said Gomez is a known gang member and allegedly matched the description provided by witnesses. Police said two loaded handguns were found in the immediate area and that Gomez was positively identified as the suspect at the scene. Police said a second suspect fled the area and has not been located.

Gomez was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on several felony charges to include attempted murder as well as a hate crime. Police said the motive is still under investigation.

During the ensuing investigation, officers learned that witnesses had also seen someone brandish a firearm shortly before the shooting and that the description of the suspect also matched Gomez. However, police said the victim in that incident had not yet been identified, nor had they come forward to report the incident. Police are investigating whether the two incidents are related.

A hotel staff member, who did not want to be identified, told a KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 reporter that the suspect was not a guest and had entered the property. The employee said the man was shooting from the second floor balcony while the guests were in the parking lot. The staff member said the suspect ran across the street to the Days Inn Hotel and was arrested there. The employee added that crimes of this nature are extremely uncommon there, but that workers have had safety concerns during the overnight hours.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Mario Kasal at 760-323- 8136 or email MarioKasal@PalmSpringsCA.gov. The public may also make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.

In the release, the PSPD said any crimes committed against another based on disability, gender, nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientations will not be tolerated.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 as we continue to learn more.