A judge is scheduled Monday to rule if there is enough evidence for a documented gang member accused of shooting at two men in Desert Hot Springs — one hit multiple times — to stand trial on attempted murder and attempted robbery charges.
Richard Alex Bernal, 21, of Desert Hot Springs, faces four felony charges stemming from the shootings on Aug. 15, 2018.
A preliminary hearing date last week was rescheduled for at least the fourth time, although Deputy District Attorney Steven Sorensen indicated the proceeding is likely to go forward Monday.
Bernal was arrested more than a month after the attack, which left one of the victims suffering from four gunshot wounds, according to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Heredia.
Desert Hot Springs police worked with the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force to identify Bernal as a suspect and arrested him on Sept. 28 near the 66000 block of Acoma Avenue.
A search warrant served at Bernal’s residence turned up “evidence related to the attempted homicide,” Heredia alleged at the time.
Bernal is in custody in the Indio jail, on $1 million bail.