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2 shot in Desert Hot Springs
Two die in unrelated incidents
By
Kenny Klein
The Desert Sun
December 20th, 2001
DESERT HOT SPRINGS -- Authorities were questioning one man and seeking several others in two early morning killings on Wednesday.
The shootings, less than a mile from each other and four hours apart, are not connected, said Desert Hot Springs Police Lt. Jim Steimer.
Police believe the first shooting just before 3 a.m. stemmed from a dispute over money or drugs, but investigators are continuing to pursue leads, Steimer said.
Police said the second fatal shooting may have been the violent end to a love triangle.
Fatality: The first victim, Russell Wilson, 65, of Desert Hot Springs, was shot to death about 2:50 a.m. at his apartment on 11-700 block of Mesquite Avenue, police said.
Witnesses told officers that the suspects knew Wilson, entered the apartment and shot him after the dispute, police said. Several other people inside the apartment with Wilson were not hurt.
By Wednesday evening, Banning police had detained 25-year-old Damien Owens of Banning for questioning in connection with Wilson’s shooting and are seeking other suspects, said Desert Hot Springs investigators.
In the second shooting, Henry Vellore Lozano, 20, of Desert Hot Springs was shot to death about 6:36 a.m. while driving home on Palm Drive north of San Juan Road, police said.
Bullets sprayed: The shooter sprayed Lozano’s Ford Focus with gunfire. Stray bullets struck at least one home and a parked car but no injuries were reported, police said.
After Lozano was fatally shot, his car drifted off Palm Drive and into a field.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the gunman may have been an old boyfriend of Lozano’s current girlfriend and the father of the woman’s child. Investigators believe the shooting may have stemmed from a dispute over the woman, Steimer said.
Police are seeking Emilio Avalos, 24, of Desert Hot Springs for questioning in Lozano’s shooting.
For one neighbor on Palm Drive, the rash of gunfire seemed out of the ordinary.
‘‘It’s always been a quiet neighborhood but I’ve only been here a year,’’ said Palm Drive resident Rose Smeby. ‘‘This is all kind of a shock.’’
Kenny Klein covers police, fire and crime. He can be reached at 778-4640 or by e-mail at
Kenny.Klein@thedesertsun.com
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