Cops on alert after shots fired in Desert Hot Springs

DESERT HOT SPRINGS – Police were searching for anyone injured after a fight erupted into gunfire late Wednesday night.

Two or three gunshots were fired in the 15-100 block of Avendia Descanso, said police, who were called to the neighborhood just before 9 p.m. The area is unincorporated, covered by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. In this investigation, Desert Hot Springs police assisted in a search for victims or anyone else involved in the fight.

“Nobody has been injured that we know of,” said Deputy Angel Ramos, a spokesman for the sheriff’s department. “We’re still searching that area.”

Some time during the fight, one person intentionally slammed his vehicle into a second vehicle with someone inside. Reports are that no one was injured. The driver, said Ramos, was arrested on preliminary charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

That man, Adam Samuel Gonzalez, was released when the “victim declined prosecution,” said Ramos. He was detained as a parolee and for possession of live ammunition.

Ramos said it was unknown what had started the “physical altercation.”

Three adults inside the residence were asked by deputies to come out with their hands raised, according to reports. No guns were seized and a search of the area did not lead to any shell casings, Ramos said.

“Several people told us there had been shots fired,” said Ramos, “but apparently everyone scattered after that happened. There were about two to three shots fired.”

Ramos could not say if the shots were fired at anyone in particular, or fired into the air. “We’re not sure what kind of a gun was used. It could have been a revolver.”

The area located is northeast of Dillon Road and Palm Drive.