|
|
Police continue hunt for suspects linked to slayings
By
Kenny Klein
The Desert Sun
December 21, 2001
DESERT HOT SPRINGS -- Authorities will continue their hunt today for suspects in a pair of homicides on Wednesday.
The two shootings happened during a four-hour span in the north part of the city.
Police are seeking Emilio Avalos, 24, of Desert Hot Springs, for questioning in the early-morning slaying of Henry Vellore Lozano, 20, of Desert Hot Springs.
Lozano was killed at 6:36 a.m. Wednesday when a gunman pulled alongside of his Ford Focus and riddled it with gunfire as he drove home, police said. Lozano died on Palm Drive north of San Juan Road, several blocks from his house.
Though Avalos’ most recent address is on Third Street in Desert Hot Springs, police said he may have left the Coachella Valley. "We believe (Avalos) left the area after the shooting and may be in the San Fernando Valley area because that’s where he lived before coming here," said Desert Hot Springs Police Lt. Jim Steimer.
Motive: Police believe the killing may have stemmed from a fight Lozano and Avalos had over Lozano’s girlfriend, who was Avalos’ former girlfriend and mother of his child, Steimer said.
Lozano’s older sister, Desiree Stamas, said the loss has been hard for the family to handle. ‘‘We are all just in shock. It’s an unbelievable situation," she said.
Police also have a man in custody in connection with a shooting earlier that morning. Damien Owens, 25, of Banning, was arrested late Wednesday in Banning.
He remains in the Riverside County Jail in Indio on suspicion of robbery and murder in connection with the slaying of Russell Wilson, 65, police said.
Wilson was shot to death about 2:50 a.m. inside his apartment in the 11-700 block of Mesquite Avenue by one of several men during a robbery that police suspect involved drugs and/or money, Steimer said.
At large: Police say they have information that two others suspects remain at large, but don’t have enough information to release their names and descriptions.
Owens, who remains in custody on $500,000 bail and numerous warrants, will be arraigned today.
Wednesday’s homicides were the first reported in the city this year. Last year, no murders were reported in the city, though two people were killed in 1999.
Anyone with information on the Lozano or Wilson can call police at 329-2904.
Kenny Klein covers police, fire and crime. He can be reached at 778-4640 or by e-mail at
Kenny.Klein@thedesertsun.com
Send a friend a link to this story:
Back to Local News |
Back to Top
©2001 The Desert Sun.
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the
Terms of Service (updated April 11, 2000). |
Contact us
|
|
|
