Author: KESQ

City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon accused of slashing a Palm Springs man with a box cutter, then fleeing the scene and almost making it out of the city until he was apprehended, was charged today with attempted murder and other offenses.

James Jeremiah Fuller, 41, of Palmdale was arrested Tuesday following an investigation by the Palm Springs Police Department.   

Along with attempted murder, Fuller was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, probation violations and sentence-enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and inflicting great bodily injury.

The probationer, who was being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Benoit Detention Center, was slated to make his initial court appearance Friday afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

According to police, shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday, Fuller was involved in an unspecified confrontation with the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, in the 600 block of South Palm Canyon Drive, near Indian Canyon Drive, on the western edge of Palm Springs.

During the encounter, Fuller allegedly pulled a box cutter and attacked the man, inflicting a gash across his head, police alleged.   

The victim called 911, and patrol officers converged on the location within minutes, discovering the man bleeding and in need of immediate medical attention.

“He provided limited information, stating he had been attacked by … a male who had fled northbound in a white pickup truck,” the police department stated.

The victim was taken to a regional trauma center for treatment, and officers initiated a search, netting results less than a half-hour later when they spotted a Ford F-150 matching the description of the alleged getaway vehicle nearly four miles north of where the alleged attack happened, in the area of North Indian Canyon Drive and West Tramview Road, according to authorities. The location is a mile south of Interstate 10.   

The pickup was stopped by patrol units. Fuller was in the driver’s seat and taken into custody without incident. A woman was with him in the passenger seat. She wasn’t identified, and she wasn’t taken into custody.   

A witness back at the scene of the alleged attack corroborated the victim’s statement and positively identified Fuller as the alleged assailant, police said.

Court records show he has documented prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and witness intimidation.

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María García

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – The TODEC Legal Center hosted a Valentine’s Day food drive Friday morning aimed at helping immigrant families in need.

The event provided free groceries and essential items that may assist impacted families. The suggested items include: corn tortillas, beans, rice, canned chicken, baby wipes, and hygiene products.

“We had two full car loads, I backed up 50 pounds of rice and beans, and hundreds of hundreds of canned foods,” said Leah Aguayo, co-founder of Indivisible Morongo Basin.

Aguayo says the food drive is another way to give back while organizing more protests. “We protest every Sunday at the entrance to Joshua Tree park, we can have anywhere from one-hundred to four-hundred people. We got the word out that this Valentine day food drive was happening,” said Aguayo.

Todec organizers say around 3,000 families each month seek help due to immigration enforcement concerns.

“We’re very thankful and we’re very honored and very proud of our Coachella Valley. How people continue to step up for those that are very vulnerable at these times, that are suffering and having so much trauma,” said Luz Gallegos, Todec executive director.

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As Valentine’s Day approaches, flower shops across the Coachella Valley are in full bloom preparing for one of their busiest days of the year.

Consumer spending on Valentine’s Day is projected to hit a record $29.1 billion, according to an annual survey released by the National Retail Federation.

Shoppers plan to spend an average of $199.78, up from $188.81 last year and higher than the previous record of $196.31 in 2020.

News Channel 3 is speaking with local flower shops and shoppers about how rising costs and strong demand are shaping this year’s Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Isaiah Mora

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A bicyclist is dead following a crash in Cathedral City on Thursday night.

Around 10:55 p.m., Cathedral City Police officers responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash at the intersection of Date Palm Drive and Ortega Road. 

Investigators determined a vehicle was traveling southbound on Date Palm Drive and run a red traffic signal. A bicyclist traveling westbound through the crosswalk, also against a red traffic signal, was struck by the vehicle.

The bicyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital for minor facial injuries. 

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. The identity of the victim will not be released until the Coroner’s Office completes their investigation.

If you have information related to this incident or believe you may have information, please contact the Cathedral City Police at (760) 770-0300.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates on this story.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 2/18/26

The suspect, Diego Gallardo, 32, was officially charged with attempted murder along with other charges, according to court records.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges on Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center.

Gallardo is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 27 for a felony settlement conference.

Original Report 2/12/26

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A suspect in a Desert Hot Springs shooting that left one person hospitalized was arrested Thursday, police announced.

The suspect, a 32-year-old man, was taken into custody in Desert Hot Springs by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact Team and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

He was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio, where he is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Police said the suspect was wanted in connection with a shooting on the evening of September 21, 2025, in the area of Palm Drive and 2nd Street. A man suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The annual 11-day celebration of midcentury architecture, art and design was underway today in Palm Springs during Modernism Week.

The festival features more than 400 tours, programs and events, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the nonprofit and other local preservation, neighborhood and community groups.

The Community and Meeting Place will host an array of experiences and special events, including stylish themed parties, mahjong meetups and a student art exhibition by Coachellart Camp is located inside the Hyatt Palm Springs, at 285 N. Palm Canyon, and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during Modernism Week. 

The first night will conclude with “Modernist Motown,” an opening night party presented by Ferguson Home at 7 p.m., featuring live Motown classics, cocktails and a retro-inspired look.

There will be numerous tours, presentations, exhibitions and special events through Feb. 22, such as the Andreas Hills II neighborhood tour, uptown design district tour, Palm Springs modernism show and Modernism Week vintage car show, “Starlight Soiree.”  

More information on schedules and ticketing can be found at modernismweek.com.

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Jesus Reyes

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – A 43-year-old man accused in a shooting that killed two people Wednesday night in Thermal was arrested, authorities announced.

The shooting was first reported at a little after 11:30 p.m. on the 67000 block of Polk Street. Deputies were dispatched to the area after a report of two dead people at the location, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators say a 43-year-old Mecca man was arrested Thursday in the area of the 91-000 Block of Third Street in Mecca. The suspect is facing murder charges, he is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday at the Hall of Justice in Riverside.

The Riverside County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of one of the victims, 50-year-old Oscar Romero Castro. The other victim was only identified as a 43-year-old resident of Mecca.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Master Investigator Joshua Manjarrez at (760) 393–3530 or Thermal Station Lead Investigator Burgie at (951) 863–8990.

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City News Service

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – Three operations carried out this week in Banning targeted illegal homeless encampments, which are now in the process of being dismantled after multiple occupants were arrested on suspicion of trespassing, authorities said today.

The first operation occurred Tuesday just northeast of the intersection of Hathaway and Ramsey streets, according to the Banning Police Department.

Capt. Brandon Smith said the department’s “homeless liaison officers,” joined by personnel from the Department of Code Enforcement and City Animal Control, entered the site. Notices had been given 72 hours earlier warning occupants of the need to vacate the premises.

Seven people were arrested on suspicion of trespassing and then released from custody. The owner of the property was additionally contacted and directed to start cleanup, including removal of vehicles being used as residences, Smith said.

He said the next joint operation happened Wednesday near Interstate 10 and Sunset Avenue, where 13 people were arrested for alleged trespassing, then released from custody. One occupant of the camp was also arrested in connection with an unrelated, outstanding felony warrant.

“This location is also private property, and (we are) actively working with the owner to get the encampment debris removed from the property,” Smith said.

The final joint operation occurred Thursday southwest of Bryant Street and San Gorgonio Avenue, where five people were arrested on suspicion of trespassing, then released.

“This location was cleaned up with the assistance of the Banning Streets Department, and four large tent encampments were removed from the property,” Smith said.

The captain pointed out that municipal agencies are working “hard to direct those experiencing homelessness to available resources within the city and Riverside County.”

“But we will be enforcing applicable laws with a zero tolerance,” he said. “The police department has been able to strengthen efforts in enforcing crimes related to unlawful camping and other quality of life issues that have become a major problem within the city.”

Anyone with questions, or who wants to report illegal encampments, was asked to call the department’s non-emergency line at 951-922-3170. Alternately, residents can fill out complaint forms via the Department of Code Enforcement’s web portal: http://www.banning.ca.us/FormCenter/Police-10/Code- Enforcement-IssueConcernForm-62.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The city of Palm Springs will host the 39th annual Black History Parade and Town Fair later this month, officials announced today.

The free, all-ages event will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 28, with the parade set to start on Baristo Road and end at Alejo Road.   

In collaboration with the city’s Black History Committee, the event will be a day of community, culture and heritage.   

Check Out: Zjarvre Crawford discusses local Black History Month events

Ron Oden, the city’s first African American mayor, will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. Marcus Funchess, the first African American Superintendent of Palm Springs Unified School District, will serve as the Town Fair Grand Marshal.

A P-51 Mustang, with a painted crimson red tail in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, will fly over during the parade courtesy of the Palm Springs Air Museum.

In addition, the parade will feature local leaders, community groups and performers.

Following the parade, the Town Fair will be held at Downtown Park, at 230 Museum Drive, located across from the Art Museum for live entertainment, food and community vendors and family-friendly activities, city officials said.

Every Tuesday this month, News Channel 3’s Daniela Lake is spotlighting Black trailblazers and pioneers who’ve had a significant impact on the Coachella Valley. Watch her reports Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Honoring Indio’s Black pioneers

Remembering the legacy of James O. Jessie

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Prosecutors confirmed today that they intend to retry an alleged conspirator in the carjacking and killing of a 24-year-old Riverside man, with retrial proceedings tentatively set for April.

A Riverside jury was unable to overcome an impasse in deliberations last week during the trial of Qevon Xavier Harvey, 27, of Desert Hot Springs, leading to a mistrial.   

Harvey is charged with first-degree murder, robbery, carjacking, burglary and special circumstance allegations of killing in the course of a burglary, killing during a kidnapping and killing during a robbery in the 2022 slaying of Benjamin Chanes.

During a status hearing Wednesday at the Riverside Hall of Justice, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office acknowledged Harvey will be retried, prompting Superior Court Judge Charles Koosed to schedule the start of jury selection for April 14.

A separate jury last week convicted Harvey’s co-defendant, Trezell Lamone Heckard, 30, of Vallejo of the murder count, as well as robbery, carjacking, burglary and a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a burglary. Jurors hung on the other special circumstance allegations. Heckard is slated to be sentenced on April 24.   

Harvey is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail. Heckard is being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility.   

A third alleged conspirator, Anthony Antoine Wright, 33, of Indio is also accused in the killing. He’s charged identically to Heckard and Harvey, but is additionally charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations. Trial proceedings for Wright are tentatively scheduled to begin at the same time as Harvey’s.  

Wright is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail.   

According to an arrest warrant declaration filed by the Riverside Police Department, on the afternoon of March 6, 2022, Chanes and his girlfriend, identified in documents only as “N.D.,” were returning to Riverside from Los Angeles in her vehicle, with him at the wheel, when they came to a stop in an unfamiliar area after exiting the freeway and were immediately approached by one of the defendants, wielding a handgun.   

The defendant “approached the driver’s side and ordered Benjamin out at gunpoint,” the affidavit stated.  

Chanes complied, at which point additional males “told (N.D.) to get out of the car, and they took her to another waiting vehicle and told her to keep her head down. She did what she was told,” the declaration said.   

The woman later told detectives that Chanes was seated in her car, while she was forced to drive with several of the defendants in their vehicle, a 2011 Chevrolet Impala. The trip lasted 15 minutes, after which both vehicles were parked outside the Boulder Creek Apartment Complex on Iowa Avenue, according to the declaration.   

Police alleged the defendants hustled Chanes and N.D. into the victim’s apartment, pushing the woman into a closet, then demanding to know from Chanes “where the money was” kept. For about 10 minutes, the defendants ransacked the apartment, with N.D. in the closet, unable to see where her boyfriend was being held, the affidavit alleged.   

When the men were distracted, Chanes abruptly bolted from the apartment. While he was attempting to run away, Wright allegedly opened fire on the victim, inflicting multiple gunshots to his back, causing Chanes to collapse on the sidewalk, according to the affidavit.

The young man died a short time later at Riverside Community Hospital.   

The defendants fled in the woman’s vehicle, leaving behind their own Chevy sedan, police alleged.  

N.D., who was not injured, emerged from the closet and called 911 moments after the gunfire.

Detectives gathered fingerprint and other evidence from the Chevy, leading them to one of the defendants’ social media accounts, in which revelations about the shooting ultimately came to light, according to the affidavit.

The men were arrested at different times over an 18-month span.   

Their co-defendant, Kahlin Cynque Erwin, 30, of Pittsburgh, Calif., pleaded guilty in 2024 to kidnapping and is due for sentencing on June 8. He’s free on a $55,000 bond.

Details regarding his and Wright’s prior convictions were unavailable.

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