Desert Hot Springs Man Arrested for Alleged Hate Crime Shooting

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PALM SPRINGS – Palm Springs Police are investigating an attempted murder, believed to be a hate crime that occurred on Saturday, August 18, 2018.

At around 1:35 a.m. police responded to the 2000 block of N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs for the report of a shooting incident. When they arrived they learned that a Hispanic male suspect fired multiple shots from a handgun at a black man, his wife, and they 16-year-old son. Statements made by the suspect led investigators to believe the crime was racially motivated. Officers also learned that a suspect with a similar description was witnessed brandishing a firearm before the shooting in the same general area. “The victim has not yet been identified or come forward to report the incident,” Palm Desert Police officials said. “Both incidents have similar suspect descriptions, and we are currently investigating whether or not the incidents are related.”

An area search was conducted and Ricardo Gomez, 19, of Desert Hot Springs was detained without incident. Two loaded handguns were found in the area of the suspect detention and Gomez was later positively identified. A second suspect fled the area and is yet to be identified or located. Authorities said that Gomez is known to have gang ties. He was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on several felony charges, including attempted murder and hate crime. Although the incident is being investigated as a hate crime, the motive of the attack remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation, please call Detective Mario Kasal at 760-323- 8136 or email MarioKasal@PalmSpringsCA.gov. You can also make anonymous crime tips through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.