Photo: Riverside County Sheriff Logo
COACHELLA, CA – On February 17, 2023, Riverside Sheriff’s Thermal Station responded to a shooting on Grapefruit Boulevard in Coachella. When they arrived, they found several shell casings in the area, but no injuries were reported, and no businesses were hit. The Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit took over the case and, during their investigation, they discovered that two juveniles were the victims, while the suspects were identified as 19-year-old Salomon Cruz-Rodriguez Jr. and a 14-year-old juvenile, both Coachella residents.
On March 23, 2023, the Special Investigations Unit, with the help of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, located Salomon Cruz-Rodriguez Jr. in the 84100 block of Laguna Lane in Coachella and the 14-year-old juvenile in the 85800 block of Avenida Grace in the city of Coachella.
The Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit then served search warrants at the residences of both suspects, and the suspects were taken into custody without incident. During the search, officers found firearms at the suspects’ homes. A third search warrant was served in the 83500 block of Jade Rock Road, in the city of Coachella, where an additional firearm was found.
Salomon Cruz-Rodriguez Jr. was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio for Attempted Murder, and the 14-year-old juvenile was booked at the Juvenile Hall in Indio for Attempted Murder.
The Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit is requesting anyone with additional information to contact Corporal McTigue at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling (760)-863-2813. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crimestoppers at (760) 341-7867.
For media inquiries regarding this incident, please contact the Media Information Bureau.
