Suspect charged in shooting that killed 23-year-old man in Indio
Update 12/23/25
A 41-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the deadly shooting, police said.
Gabriel Salazar was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the area of Avenue 51 and Filmore Street in Coachella, police said.
Salazar was charged with 1st degree murder, among other charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 31 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
Police said the investigation determined that on Dec. 16, Angel Ernesto Yee Mendoza, 23, was involved in an earlier shooting in the 47000 block of Dove Street. There were no known victims in that incident. Following the shooting, Mendoza drove to a residence in the 47000 block of Bluejay Street, where he and Salazar became involved in a brief verbal confrontation that escalated into an exchange of gunfire.
Mendoza was struck by gunfire and returned to his vehicle, where he became unresponsive. He was later transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
He was booked into jail and is expected to be arraigned in court on Wednesday.
Original Report 12/16/25
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - One person was killed in a shooting in an Indio neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon.
The violence was reported at around 1:10 p.m. on the 47000 block of Dove Street, near Calhoun and Quail Street.
Sgt. Abe Plata of the Indio Police Department told News Channel 3 that officers responded to the area and located two crime scenes, one on Dove Street and the second on Blue Jay Street.
On Blue Jay Street, officers found a 23-year-old man with gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Plata said no arrests had been made. The investigation remained active. Anyone with information regarding this incident was encouraged to contact the Indio Police Department at (760) 391-4057. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP.
The shooting was just around the corner from a previous deadly shooting that occurred on Quail Avenue on Nov. 20. Four men were arrested in connection with the death of a 33-year-old man.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
