Dog Owner Shot To Death In Unprovoked Attack Near IE Park

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA — A man parked in his vehicle with his dog Monday evening in Twentynine Palms was the victim of unprovoked lethal gun violence, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Robert James McDonald, 35, was shot dead shortly after 7:49 p.m. near the Twentynine Palms Dog Park at the intersection of El Sol Avenue and Foothill Drive.

The arbitrary shooting followed gun violence that occurred just moments earlier a short distance away. According to the sheriff's department, it began when "four to five subjects were drinking alcohol and causing a disturbance in the area of Alpine Road and Old Dale Road," about a half mile away from the fatal shooting.

A local resident tried to talk to those gathered, but the group became confrontational. One of the drinkers, later identified as 18-year-old Rudy Garcia of Twentynine Palms, fired several shots toward the resident but no injuries were reported.

The group disbanded, and Garcia took off on foot, ending up near the dog park.

For reasons that are unclear, Garcia fired into McDonald's vehicle wounding the innocent bystander. The victim tried to drive away but lost control of his vehicle and smashed into an occupied parked car along Knott Sky Park, the department reported.

Deputies tried to save McDonald, but he died at the scene.

Garcia fled on foot but deputies found the armed suspect nearby; he was taken into custody. He was booked into county jail on suspicion of murder, according to the sheriff's department.

The occupants of the parked car sustained minor injuries, according to the sheriff's department.

There was no word on McDonald's dog.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Shawn Thurman, Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904.