Crime & Safety
4 Men Arrested In Indio Shooting Death
The slaying was reported midday in the 83000 block of Quail Avenue.
INDIO, CA — Three suspects were behind bars Tuesday and a fourth free on bail in connection with the fatal shooting of a 33-year-old man in Indio.
Zachary Ashton Hamrick, 19, of Thousand Palms; George Anthony Diaz, 20, of Desert Hot Springs; and Jonathan Rios Franco, 19, of Banning, were booked into Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Christian Espinoza, 20, of Palm Springs, was booked into Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of being an accessory and two misdemeanor warrants, according to the Indio Police Department. He was subsequently freed on $10,000 bail.
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Franco and Hamrick were held in lieu of a $1 million bail. Diaz also remained in custody, although no bail information was immediately available.
According to Indio police, a white SUV stopped in front of a residence around 2:15 p.m. Thursday in the 83000 block of Quail Avenue. Individuals inside the vehicle called over to the victim, whose name was not revealed, and another man, and as they approached the vehicle gunshots were fired, police said.
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The victim was struck by gunfire, while the other man and three nearby children were able to run for cover, police said. The gunshot victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses gave authorities a description of the suspect vehicle, which they identified as a white Honda CR-V.
Palm Springs police later found the vehicle, and officers detained a man who was seen leaving and entering the SUV. They found two handguns inside a backpack that the man threw away as officers approached him, officials said.
The driver of the SUV fled into Desert Hot Springs, and police there initiated a pursuit that ended when the vehicle stalled and two men inside tried to flee, but were quickly apprehended, police said.
Authorities identified the suspects from the SUV as Hamrick, Diaz and Espinoza, and Indio detectives took custody of all three individuals.
Franco was allegedly a passenger in the SUV during the shooting and was arrested later.
Anyone with additional information on the case was asked to call 760-391-4057, or report tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.
