Neighbors speak out following homicide at Indio community
As police continue to investigate a homicide over the weekend, neighbors speak out about what they say is becoming too common an occurrence.
At around 9:45 p.m. on Friday, a man was shot to death at the Arabian Gardens Mobile Home Park on Fred Waring. Indio police said they found the man with multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.
Family identified the man as 16-year-old Gerardo Mendez.
According to a GoFundMe page created to raise money for funeral expenses, Mendez was shot in his head, throat, and body while outside of his aunt’s home on his way back inside the home.
Read: Family identify teenager killed in Indio shooting Friday night
Neighbor Aurelio Sandoval told KESQ & CBS Local 2 he heard those gunshots Friday night. He says these shooting happen way too often around that area and the neighborhood is now becoming numb to the violence
“It’s just another shooting to me, you know. Out here we hear a couple you know,” Sandoval said.
Park’s management told KESQ & CBS Local 2 they did not have security at the park before this shooting. After Friday’s shooting, they are looking into hiring someone to patrol the property.
As police responded to the shooting, an adult male arrived at John F. Kennedy Hospital with several gunshot wounds. According to police, that man is in serious condition. Police have not said whether these two incidents are related as they are still actively investigating both.
Family tell KESQ & CBS Local 2 the person shot and hospitalized was Mendez’s cousin.
Police are asking for help from the public. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact IPD (760-391-4057 ), or to remain anonymous, please contact Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867).
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