'Person Of Interest' Sought In Coachella Valley Teen's Killing

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a "person of interest" in the slaying of a 17-year-old Mecca resident.

On Thursday the department announced that David Espinoza, 20, also of Mecca, was identified as a person of interest in the death of Francisco Ramirez. Espinoza, whose whereabouts are unknown, is also wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for an unrelated robbery and assault with a deadly weapon investigation, according to the sheriff's department.

Espinoza is described as an Hispanic male, about 5'4", 135 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Ramirez's death investigation began around 12:05 a.m. March 25 when deputies assigned to the Thermal Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the 71000 block of Miramar Drive in Mecca regarding an assault with a deadly weapon call.

Once on scene, deputies found nearby evidence of a shooting but did not locate a victim or suspect.

As the search continued, however, information developed that led investigators to a body in the nearby area of Sea View Way and 72nd Avenue in Mecca.

The victim, later identified as Ramirez, was believed to be connected to the original assault with a deadly weapon call, the department said.

It's not clear how investigators linked Espinoza to Ramirez's death and a possible motive for the slaying was not released.

Anyone with information about the investigation or Espinoza’s whereabouts is asked to contact Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit Investigators R. Deanne or K. Farag at 951-955-2777. Anyone who sees Espinoza or knows his immediate whereabouts should call 911, the sheriff's department said.