|
|
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
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
| | |
