A 41-year-old man was behind bars Wednesday on suspicion of fatally shooting a 23-year-old man last week in Indio.
Gabriel Salazar was arrested and booked into Benoit Detention Center in Indio Saturday on suspicion of homicide and weapons violations, according to the Indio Police Department.
Bail information was not immediately available.
Officers responded to a report of shots fired about 1:12 p.m. on Dec. 16 in the 47000 block of Dove Street. When they arrived, they found two related crimes scenes — one on Dove Street and another on Bluejay Street.
Police said Angel Ernesto Yee Mendoza was involved in a shooting for unknown reasons in the 47000 block of Dove Street, then drove to a residence in the 47000 block of Bluejay Street. There, Mendoza and Salazar became involved in a verbal confrontation, also for unknown reasons, which escalated into gunfire, police said.
Salazar allegedly shot Mendoza, who was struck, returned to his vehicle and became unresponsive, police said. Salazar fled the scene, according to police.
Paramedics rendered live-saving measures and Mendoza was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries, police said.
Officer found an unregistered handgun inside Mendoza’s vehicle, and “multiple expended bullet casings were located at both shooting scenes,” the department said.
Salazar was taken into custody without incident shortly after 11:50 a.m. Saturday in the area of Avenue 51 and Filmore Street in Coachella.
Anyone with additional information on the shooting was asked to call 760-391-4057, or report tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.