Crime & Safety

Shooting At CatCity Applebee's Grill & Bar: 2 Arrested

A fight at the local Applebee's turned deadly in Cathedral City Saturday night. Two men were arrested on charges related to the shooting.

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA — Two men suspected in a fatal shooting during a fight at an Applebee's Grill & Bar in Cathedral City were in custody Tuesday.

Willie R. Bustamante, 33, and Antonio Portillo, 30, both of Cathedral City, were taken into custody on Monday after detectives arrested them at their respective residences, said Sgt. Albert Ruiz of the Cathedral City Police Department.

The fatal shooting occurred at approximately 11:31 p.m. Saturday and Cathedral City Police Department officers responded to 32400 Date Palm Drive regarding a fight involving numerous people inside the restaurant.

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During the altercation, one person pulled out a firearm and shot the victim, Ernesto Lazcano Arroyo, 31, a Cathedral City resident, according to police. Officers found Arroyo inside the restaurant with gunshot wounds.

Paramedics from the Cathedral City Fire Department took Arroyo to a hospital, where he died from his injuries, Ruiz said.

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CCPD detectives conducted several interviews and worked several leads during their investigation. They worked with the Riverside County Gang Impact Team that conducted surveillance on Bustamante's residence in the 69100 block of Dinah Shore Drive, where they took him into custody.

Portillo was later taken into custody. Detectives also obtained a warrant to search Bustamante's home, police said.

Bustamante was booked into the Larry D. Smith Detention Center on murder charges and Portillo was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center, also for murder, Ruiz said.

Anyone who has information related to this killing or believe they may have information was asked to call the CCPD at 760-770-0300, Cmdr. Rick Sanchez at 760-202-2488 or via the Cathedral City Police Department website at cathedralcitypolice.com.