Suspect arrested in Thursday night shooting death at Indio Motel 6
Julia Castro
UPDATE 06/13/2025 – Indio police report on Friday that a suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of a 27-year-old man on Thursday night at the Motel 6 in Indio.
Police say that their investigation revealed the suspect’s vehicle, a white Toyota Camry with paper plates, was seen fleeing the scene. They viewed video surveillance footage from the Motel 6 as well as from Flock Cameras to also get a description of the vehicle.
As IPD detectives began conducting their initial investigation at the scene, one of the detectives observed a white Toyota Camry passing by near the crime scene. The Toyota matched the description of the suspect vehicle.
Police initiated an investigative traffic stop on the Toyota. After a slow failure to yield, the vehicle finally stopped, and a high risk felony stop was conducted. Two adult males and two adult females were safely detained without incident.
Police recovered a bag thrown from within the vehicle on the street during the traffic stop. The bag contained a loaded Glock semi-automatic firearm, and the car was later confirmed to be the suspect vehicle from the shooting incident.
The 23-year-old male driver of the car was later identified as the shooter/homicide suspect.
Police say the investigation revealed there was a dispute between the victim and the suspect before the shooting. The suspect was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio, charged with murder (187 PC) and being in possession of an unregistered firearm (29850 (c)(6) PC).
The other adult males and two adult females who were initially detained with the suspect during the traffic stop were later released from the station.
Police add that the confirmation of the victim’s identity is pending the coroner’s office investigation, and there is no additional danger to the community regarding this investigation.
The Indio Police Department encourages anyone with information on this incident to contact IPD Detective Shane DaCosta at (760) 541-4529.
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Indio Police are investigating a deadly shooting that left a 27-year-old man dead at a local motel.
Officers responded around 11:30 p.m. Thursday to the Motel 6 located on Indio Boulevard, near Sun Gold Street and Fred Waring Drive. Police say the victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident is being investigated as a homicide. As of Friday morning, no arrests have been made.
A hotel guest contacted News Channel 3 shortly before midnight, reporting a heavy police presence in the area. When our crew arrived, they found crime scene tape surrounding the motel parking lot and eastbound Indio Boulevard shut down between Fred Waring and Sun Gold.
The road remains closed as detectives continue to investigate.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Shane DaCosta with the Indio Police Department at (760) 541-4529.
This is a developing story. Stay with News Channel 3 on-air and online for updates.