Author: KESQ

Athena Jreij

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — From Rancho Mirage to Cathedral City and Palm Springs, thousands of Coachella Valley residents have taken to the streets protesting President Donald Trump’s policies.

In Cathedral City, crowds gathered Saturday morning in an ‘ICE melts in the desert,’ rally against recent immigration enforcement the city saw.

Earlier this month, ICE and CBP officials carried out an operation in Cathedral City on Ramon Road. At least one person was detained.

Protesters told News Channel 3 they are frustrated with operations detaining those without criminal records.

In Rancho Mirage, over 3,000 people gathered along Highway 111 apart of the nationwide ‘No Kings’ protests.

Saturday night in Palm Springs, organizers estimated nearly 5,000 people showed up to Downtown Park for another ‘No Kings’ demonstration.

Stick with News Channel 3 through the evening as we track these developments.

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CNN Newsource

By Rebekah Riess, Holmes Lybrand, CNN

(CNN) — The suspect in the assassination and attempted assassination of two Minnesota lawmakers has been identified as Vance Boelter, two law enforcement officials briefed on the case tell CNN.

Boelter is 57 years old and, according to a law enforcement official, he works for a security company, Praetorian Guard Security. The company website says that Boelter serves as the director of security patrols and has had training by people in the US military.

Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed early Saturday morning in “what appears to be a politically motivated assassination,” Minnesota Governor Tim Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also targeted by the same individual and each shot multiple times, Walz said. They have undergone surgery and are alive.

“The Hoffmans are out of surgery at this time and receiving care, and we are cautiously optimally optimistic, they will survive this assassination attempt,” the governor said.

Both lawmakers are members of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party.

Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman. Minnesota Legislature.

The suspect is at large and a massive manhunt is underway, officials said at the news conference. “This is a very large scale search,” Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. “We have detained several people and questioned them, but we do not have anybody in custody at this time.”

Bruley also said a “manifesto” identifying “many lawmakers and other officials” was found when law enforcement searched Boelter’s vehicle.

A law enforcement official briefed on the matter told CNN law enforcement found a hit list in the Minnesota suspect’s car that contained nearly 70 names. The names included abortion providers, pro-abortion advocates, and lawmakers in Minnesota and in other states, the official added.

Law enforcement was first called around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday with reports that someone had shot Hoffman and his wife. Police responded to their home and provided life-saving measures before the couple was transported to the hospital, according to Drew Evans, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension superintendent.

Around 3:35 a.m., another call came in when officers were proactively checking on Hortman’s home. When Brooklyn Park police officers arrived they noticed that there was a police vehicle in the driveway with emergency lights on and what appeared to be a police officer at the door, coming out of the house, officials said. That individual immediately fired a weapon at them, Evans said, and exchanged gunfire took place during which the suspect was able to escape on foot.

The Brooklyn Park Police Department, along with other law enforcement agencies from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Patrol, the FBI and BCA are now actively engaged in a manhunt for Boelter, who they believe is responsible for both shootings, Evans said. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the FBI is “fully engaged” on the ground.

President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shootings and said Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are leading the investigation, adding that anyone involved “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Authorities are searching for a male wearing a vest with a Taser, a badge and other equipment similar to that of a police officer, according to Bruley.

“If somebody comes to the door and they knock on the door claiming to be a police officer, please do a couple things: One, call 911 and confirm that the officer belongs there. If they are a police officer, dispatch will be able to confirm that that person is police officer,” Bruley said, addressing the community. “Also, we informed all our officers in Brooklyn Park that they are not to approach anybody by themselves. They’re approaching pairs, meaning two officers.”

Walz has activated the State Emergency Operations Center and a cross-jurisdictional Joint Information Center has been established as the manhunt continues, according to the governor’s spokesperson, Teddy Tschann.

“Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them. We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon,” Walz said in a post on X.

The governor said the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene.

The Brooklyn Park Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order in a 3-mile radius of Edinburgh Golf Course Saturday morning, according to the City of Brooklyn Park. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has assigned additional police resources to “check on the safety of public officials who may be at risk, and to actively participate in the manhunt.”

“This is a stunning act of violence. I’m thankful for all the law enforcement who are responding in real time,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar said in a post on X. “My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families. Both legislators are close friends and devoted to their families and public service.”

Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, now the head of national gun violence prevention organization GIFFORDS, said in a statement on Saturday that she is “horrified and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants.”

“My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for,” Giffords, who was one of 13 people wounded in a shooting in an Arizona supermarket parking lot in 2011, added.

Congressional leaders condemned the political violence in posts on social media.

“Such horrific political violence has no place in our society, and every leader must unequivocally condemn it. Our prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families as well as the people of Minnesota during this tragic time,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said in an X post.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a post on X: “The targeted shootings of Minnesota Senator John Hoffman and State Rep. Melissa Hortman are deeply disturbing. Violence is never acceptable. Praying hard for the victims and all who have been affected.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

The-CNN-Wire

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Jesus Reyes

Update 6/16/25

The suspect was released on $200,000 bail Sunday, according to jail records.

Edward Miranda is scheduled to appear in court on July 18.

Original Report 6/14/25

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A La Quinta man was arrested after allegedly making an online post threatening a shooting at the “No Kings Day” protest in Palm Springs being held Saturday evening.

Edward Miranda, 28, was arrested Friday night in La Quinta, according to county jail records. He remains in custody on $100,000 bail and faces charges of criminal threats and threats to interfere with civil rights.

Palm Springs police said officers became aware of the online post Friday afternoon and “promptly responded to concerns raised by the community.” PSPD worked with the FBI to identify Miranda as the suspect.

During the investigation, PSPD served one search warrant at a residence in Riverside County and one search warrant at a residence in San Bernardino County, resulting in the seizure of one firearm belonging to the suspect.

“We take all threats to public safety seriously and will vigorously pursue those intent on committing violence in our community,” said PSPD Chief Andrew Mills. “Thanks to the vigilance of a community member who saw something and said something, along with the tireless efforts of our PSPD detectives and FBI partners, we were able to identify and apprehend the suspect, ensuring the safety of tonight’s event.”

PSPD said there will be a heavy police presence at tonight’s rally to ensure the rally remains safe.

The rally will be held in the Downtown Park on Saturday from 6 pm to 8 pm. Similar protests were also held Saturday morning in Rancho Mirage an Cathedral City

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with additional information is urged to contact PSPD at (760) 327-1441 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867.

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Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A Flag Day event is set to kick off in Palm Springs on Saturday.

‘The Flags of Prayer Project’ is a heart-centered, worldwide action within which people or groups of people compose prayers, then create flags displaying them.

According to the project, the flags are strung together and hung outdoors where they can be seen and the wind can catch them, inspiring unity and hope and spreading their message. The flags are hung and or consecrated on the US holiday of Flag Day, which is June 14th.

The event will take place at the Center for Spiritual Living at 2100 E Racquet Club Rd, Palm Springs.

This Flag Day, flags from the local community are being hung over the labyrinth at the front of the Center, and will be consecrated in a ceremony beginning at 10:00 a.m.

There will be several speakers offering blessings, and a choral performance of the Flags of Prayer song. Beyond the Center for Spiritual Living in Palm Springs, the Flags of Prayer Project has been undertaken by several other spiritual centers, churches, families, and individuals.

For more details, visit flagsofprayer.org.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – As the high season comes to an end and as food prices continue to surge across the country, FIND food bank is experiencing a higher need of both food donations and volunteers during the summer months.

Telemundo 15 anchor Hernan Quintas explains the different ways that you can support our local food bank and our community.

For more information, including how to donate or volunteer, visit findfoodbank.org/

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A pool serviceman who fatally beat a 93-year-old Palm Desert woman while trying to steal from her was sentenced today to 19 years to life in state prison.

An Indio jury in April convicted Benjamin Cabrera Briones, 62, of Thousand Palms of second-degree murder, as well as burglary and forgery, for the 2021 slaying of Jean Grace Willrich.

During a hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Anthony Villalobos imposed the sentence required under state law for the crimes.

“She suffered massive blunt force trauma to her face,” Deputy District Attorney Hawlee Valente told jurors at the close of the trial. “He beat her, bludgeoned her repeatedly. He applied all of his body weight on her collar bone. That’s intent to kill.”   

Briones, who was both a pool serviceman and general handyman, had gone to the residence on the pretext of fixing a toilet. The prosecution, however, argued that his real motivation was theft.

“He intended to defraud, and the victim was an easy target,” Valente said.

On the morning of Nov. 29, 2021, the defendant arrived in his work truck clearly marked “Briones Pools” at the victim’s house in the 77000 block of Michigan Drive and remained for almost exactly 50 minutes — a time frame that sheriff’s detectives were able to confirm relying on tape from security surveillance video cameras at neighbors’ properties, according to the prosecution.

Valente said he wore latex gloves during and after the murder.   

After leaving the property, Briones drove to an ATM outside an Albertson’s supermarket and deposited one of her checks into his business account, according to the prosecution.

Deputy Public Defender Richard Verlato asserted Briones did not have an intent to kill when he arrived at the home — to which he’d been invited — but in the course of speaking with Willrich, “he freaked out,” causing him to lose control and fatally assault the woman, for whom he had once worked maintaining her pool until she fired him over a payment dispute.   

On Nov. 30, 2021, a concerned friend, Patricia McDonald, went to the victim’s house and used a spare key to enter, finding Willrich “laying in a puddle of dried blood, her face swollen,” according to trial testimony.   

Sheriff’s Investigator Gustavo Castaneda testified that during an interview with Briones, the defendant admitted turning hostile when Willrich started questioning why he was walking around her home and not fixing the toilet.

“That’s when he proceeded to assault her,” Castaneda said. “Mr. Briones explained to us how he punched her, choked her and eventually got on top of her. He continued to punch her, hit her with both open and closed fists because she wouldn’t stop screaming. When she stopped moving, he got up, grabbed (her) checks and left.”  

Valente said after a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence, blood-stained shoes, a shirt, pants and other items of evidentiary value were seized. A notepad bearing names and addresses was also located, and “Willrich’s name and address were the only ones crossed out,” the deputy district attorney said.   

Briones was arrested without incident on Dec. 3, 2021, during a traffic stop near Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra drives in Rancho Mirage.   

The defendant had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon who choked his girlfriend to death during a domestic conflict in the parking lot of an Indio condominium complex was sentenced today to 15 years to life in state prison.

An Indio jury in April convicted 44-year-old Eduardo Alvarez of the 2020 slaying of 32-year-old Madeleine Gutierrez of Indio.   

During a hearing at the Larson Justice Center Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling imposed the sentence required under state law for the crime.

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, Alvarez and Gutierrez were in a tumultuous relationship that started in 2018. Their final conflict happened in the predawn hours of Oct. 17, 2020, when the victim called 911 after an argument outside the Encanto Apartments in the 46-700 block of Clinton Street.   

Prosecutors said Indio police officers arrived shortly before 4 a.m. and found Gutierrez standing with a building security guard, complaining that Alvarez had forcibly taken her car keys.

When officers asked whether she wanted to leave in her vehicle while Alvarez remained behind for her safety, the woman said no, instead telling the policemen she preferred the defendant stay with her. The two then left in her hatchback.

A little over an hour later, Alvarez called 911, claiming he and his girlfriend had just been attacked in the parking lot of the Summer Breeze Condos in the 47-300 block of Monroe Street and that he was passing out, prosecutors said.

When police reached the location, they discovered the defendant in a fetal position, laying next to Gutierrez, who was unconscious, on her back in front of her vehicle, arms outstretched at her sides and exhibiting “facial injuries and some marks around her neck,” the brief stated.   

Paramedics pronounced her dead 20 minutes later. The cause of death was determined to be manual strangulation.   

Gutierrez “feigned unconsciousness” as he lay in the parking lot, betraying his alertness by forcing his eyes shut while paramedics checked him for injuries. He had minor swelling on the left side of his forehead, but “no other obvious signs of trauma,” court papers said.

He was examined at a hospital, then cleared to leave with detectives, who questioned him at length. When asked about the circumstances of Gutierrez’s death, Alvarez gave different accounts of what transpired.   

He told investigators initially that he and Gutierrez had been out most of the night, going to places in Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs before heading over to the Encanto Apartments, where his niece resided. He said there had been a minor tiff that prompted Gutierrez to get angry and try to “run him over,” but that it was a “playful” stunt. He told detectives he took her keys from her as a precaution, according to the brief.   

The defendant said they then drove to his residence and parked outside. In one version of events, Alvarez indicated the two were talking next to her car when a pair of unknown men approached and shouted “Where you from?” A tussle ensued, and Alvarez said he was punched in the head and fell to the ground, at which point the men turned their attention to Gutierrez, who struggled with them before she was knocked unconscious, court papers said.   

In another version, Alvarez said he and Gutierrez were enjoying a romantic moment in the open rear of her car when the two men accosted them, grabbed Alvarez by his feet and pulled him out of the car, causing his head to hit the pavement and stun him. He said Gutierrez fought with the men, but couldn’t recall any other details.   

Detectives picked out inconsistencies, including signs that Gutierrez had been dragged through a field, with dirt and grass in her hair and clothes, prompting Gutierrez to start yawning, remarking, “I need a lawyer,” ending the police interview, the prosecution said.

He had documented prior felony and misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence, resisting arrest, assault and violating a restraining order.   

His ex-wife, identified only as “E.L.,” divorced him after he choked her into unconsciousness in front of their children, documents stated. The defendant also admitted choking a fellow inmate in their jail cell.

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Athena Jreij

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — As Israel and Iran exchange missiles tonight, local Jewish community members are feeling the weight of the conflict.

“They don’t seem to be able to resolve any of it. I mean, we’re on the brink of all out war,” Marlene Lynn said.

It comes as several local Jewish community members are on a trip in Tel Aviv, and are now spending the night in a bomb shelter.

“They were looking forward to being at Tel Aviv Pride today and it got canceled. They’re getting a dose of what it’s like to be an Israeli and living there where you have a safe room in every apartment,” Rabbi David Novak said.

For some, their frustrations are mounting as Israel is already battling Hamas, with dozens of hostages still in Gaza and over 50,000 Palestinians killed.

“Right now there’s 53 hostages and we think about 23 of them are still alive. I hope that they’re not forgotten while Israel is going after the Iranian nuclear capability,” Rabbi Novak said.

“What has happened with Hamas in Gaza is horrifying beyond words. We don’t see a close end to that in sight,” Rob Bergstein said.

The war on both fronts is a painful reminder for some of the worst parts of history.

“The Holocaust happened so I know it can happen again and the scariest part is it can happen here. Look at all the anti-Semitism that’s going on here in the United States,” Lynn said.

“Our go to is often feeling kind of a knee jerk reaction about, ‘oh, my God, it’s happening again.’ But, I hope that we can look past that and look at peacekeeping efforts,” Adina Lawson said.

As congregation members ring in Shabbat, some say they’ll be leaning on their faith.

“No matter what is happening in the world, if I can come in to Friday night services, I am comforted, and I can go back out into the world,” Bergstein said.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Desert Hot Springs man convicted of killing his girlfriend’s lover was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Jose Ernesto Martinez, 32, was found guilty of first-degree murder in April 2025.

Martinez was arrested June 26, 2021, on suspicion of gunning down then-27-year-old Isaac Valles of Rancho Mirage earlier that morning. He allegedly killed Valles at the conclusion of a domestic dispute, according to the Cathedral City Police Department, which did not elaborate on the nature of the argument.  

Officers sent to the 31800 block of Neuma Drive about 2:40 a.m. that day found the victim lying in the roadway, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said.

Despite first responders’ attempts to revive him, Valles was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives collected “ample witness statements and crime scene evidence” that pointed to Martinez as the suspect, according to the department. He was arrested in Desert Hot Springs about two hours after police initially arrived on scene, jail records show.

He had no documented felony convictions in Riverside County at the time.

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KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is opening a new exhibition, Section 14 The Untold Story, on June 14, 2025, at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. The exhibition sheds light on the complex and often painful history of Section 14, a square mile of reservation land at the heart of Palm Springs.

The exhibition centers around a 16-minute documentary film featuring personal stories from Tribal Elders who lived on Section 14. Their testimonies recall life in the community and the injustices faced by Tribal families. The surrounding gallery offers an array of historical documents and archival evidence that illustrate efforts by private and governmental entities to displace the Agua Caliente people, as well as the Tribe’s enduring fight to reclaim its rights and preserve its culture.

Section 14 The Untold Story not only highlights the struggles endured by the Tribe but also offers a powerful narrative of resilience, cultural identity, and sovereignty. For tribal members, it’s a step in ensuring that the story of Section 14 is told from the perspective of those who lived it.

Museum Details:Agua Caliente Cultural Museum140 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm SpringsOpen Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Closed Mondays)Admission includes access to the Changing GalleryMore info: accmuseum.org/tickets

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