Police are asking for help in locating the suspect in a shooting in Cathedral City that left a woman critically injured and her boyfriend and unborn child dead.
Residents of the area told KESQ that they heard about 15 gunshots just before 9 p.m. Shortly after, two victims were discovered near Tortuga Road and Avenida La Vista, according to Cathedral City police.
#Breaking News in Cathedral City tonight police have crime scene tape up after a shooting earlier more as I confirm pic.twitter.com/BlNzPVgtb8
— Chris Tarpening (@Tarp1969) December 20, 2015
David Chavez, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene. His girlfriend was publicly identified only as a woman, 35 weeks pregnant, who was operated on at a hospital. She was reported to have stable life signs Sunday, but the nearly full-term baby was lost. Three other children in the car escaped injury.
The shooting occurred two blocks south of Candy Cane Lane on Minerva Road. Family and friends say that the woman was visiting Candy Cane Lane prior to the shooting.
The shooting is being investigated as a double-homicide.
It's always sad when getting on scene and seeing a body covered in white on the ground #CathedralCityShooting pic.twitter.com/JwtJVcliml
— Chris Tarpening (@Tarp1969) December 20, 2015
Police in the Coachella Valley are looking the driver of a late 1990s dark-colored 2-door SUV, similar to a Chevy Blazer or GMC Jimmy.
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.
There may have been two or more passengers in the small GM vehicle.
“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,” Cathedral City Police said in a statement. “Added to this is the sheer number of families and children in the area at the time of this heinous and violent crime. Every crime we investigate is important, but the cold, and callous nature of this violent crime makes it imperative we find the suspect.”
Anyone who took cell phone videos or photos while visiting Candy Cane Lane, between the hours of 8pm and 9pm Saturday night, are encouraged to contact Cathedral City Police.
Anyone pictures, video, or other information is urged to call Cathedral City police at (760) 770-0300 or email them at info@cathedralcitypolice.gov.
On Saturday, 12-19-15 at about 8:55 PM, Cathedral City Police responded to the intersection of Tortuga Road and Avenida…
Posted by Cathedral City Police on Sunday, December 20, 2015
