Tortuga Road east of Avenida La Vista
CATHEDRAL CITY – Authorities are asking the public for assistance in finding a suspect who killed an Indio man and wounded his girlfriend killing their unborn child.
The idyllic scene of decorated houses on “Candy Cane Lane” erupted into gunfire at 8:55 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 around Tortuga Road, just east of Avenida La Vista and about a mile south of interstate 10 and Date Palm Drive. This area is heavily trafficked by the community who come to view the lights in the nights leading up to Christmas.
The shooting occurred on a street corner killing 38-year-old David Chavez of Indio. His girlfriend, who was 35 weeks pregnant, was also shot. “She underwent surgery and is in stable condition and recovering at a local hospital,” according to a statement. Her unborn baby died.
Three other children ranging in age between 5 and 12 were also in the car, but none were harmed.
Witnesses described a dark-colored 1990s two-door SUV similar to a Chevy Blazer or GMC. The shooter was described as a bald Hispanic man in his 30s who is about 5-feet-7 and 200 pounds and had a mustache and goatee. He was wearing a gray shirt and blue denim shorts.
Witnesses also reported a woman and young child in the suspect vehicle, and it’s unclear whether the woman drove the suspect away from the scene.
According to Cathedral City police Lt. Glen Haas, a confrontation may have ignited the Saturday night shooting. Although, authorities have several theories and are not certain of the motive, Hass stated both Chavez and the suspect were outside their cars at the time.
Police are seeking any home surveillance video and cell phone videos that may have been taken between 8 and 9 p.m. Saturday along Minerva Road, also known as Candy Cane Lane, as well as surrounding streets that include Tachevah Drive and Avenida La Vista.
Anyone with videos or additional information may call police at 760-770-0300.
