Crime & Safety
Second Suspect Arrested In Dollar Tree Fight: Cops
The 22-year-old suspect who allegedly attempted to shoot another at the store was found hiding in a Barbetty Way home in Beaumont.
BEAUMONT, CA — A second suspect in the attempted murder of an 18-year-old man stemming from a fight inside the Dollar Tree store in Cathedral City was arrested Thursday.
Cathedral City Police Department detectives received a tip Thursday that David Anthony William Garcia was hiding at a residence in the 1300 block of Barbetty Way in Beaumont, according to Sgt. Nate Hanley.
Detectives worked collaboratively with the Riverside County Gang Impact Team and executed a search warrant, finding Garcia and arresting him without incident, Hanley said. The 22-year-old Desert Hot Springs resident was booked at the Larry D. Smith Detention Center for attempted murder along with other undisclosed felony charges.
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An 18-year-old customer at the Dollar Tree store in the 30900 block of Date Palm Drive was confronted around 3:30 p.m. June 4 by Garcia, who brandished a gun, Hanley said. The customer lunged for the gun and a fight ensued. Two females with Garcia also began to fight with the customer, Hanley said.
After fighting over the gun for approximately two to three minutes, Garcia, the two females and customer reached a stalemate and agreed to stop fighting, Hanley said. The customer attempted to shake Garcia's hand, but Garcia retrieved the gun out of his pants and attempted to shoot the victim at point blank range, Hanley said.
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The gun did not function and the magazine fell from it, preventing it from discharging. The victim and Garcia began to fight for the magazine. During the fight Garcia pistol whipped the victim in the head, Hanley said.
The customer ran from the store, and Garcia chased after him, firing six rounds at the him, striking him several times, Hanley said.
Leah Lopez was arrested the evening of June 4 by the Riverside Sheriff's Department for an unrelated crime and booked into the Larry D. Smith Detention Center. Detectives responded to the jail and arrested her for suspicion of attempted murder and other felonies, Hanley said.
The investigation to locate the second female suspect is ongoing, Hanley said.
Anyone with information regarding this shooting was urged to call Cathedral City police at 760-770-0300. Tipsters who choose to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867. Some tip information may qualify for a cash reward.
