Suspect in two recent DHS shootings arrested
A suspect in two shooting in Desert Hot Springs was arrested on Thursday.
Wednesday at around 11 p.m., a shooting was reported on the 66000 block of 1st Street. Officers found several .223 and 9mm spent shell casings in a vacant dirt lot. Bullet holes were found in a residence and two vehicles parked at a residence to the east of the lot.
Johnny Soriano, 18, and a 17-year-old male both from Indio were arrested in relation to the shooting.
Chief Dale Mondary told News Channel 3 a detective originally saw Soriano walk out of the desert carrying a large bag and get into an awaiting vehicle. Police conducted a traffic stop on the car and Soriano ran with the bag. Mondary also said Soriano had a loaded AR-15 with the safety off.
“At some point in time, (the suspect) reaches for the AR 15 which is later found to be loaded with the safety off the chamber of it. As he reached for the AR 15, the suspect started obeying Detective Tooth’s command to stop and surrender. Great, great job by Detective Tooth and Detective Kohl. This could have gone south very quickly,” Mondary said.
Soriano was later found to be the suspect in a second shooting in Desert Hot Springs on April 22, 2019. He was booked into Banning Jail on numerous weapons offenses. The juvenile was booked into Indio Juvenile Hall for weapons offenses.
Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates on this developing story.
