Author: KESQ

Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The Palm Springs Police Department has released a critical incident debrief video detailing the events surrounding an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 28, 2026, that left one person dead.

The incident began at approximately 3:41 p.m. in the 1200 block of East Palm Canyon Drive, after officers responded to multiple reports of a man allegedly acting erratically and threatening employees at a local business with a knife. According to police, dispatchers received information that the suspect was armed and behaving aggressively, prompting an emergency response.

Upon arrival, officers located the suspect, now identified as Gilberto Flores, of Desert Hot Springs, and attempted to de-escalate the situation, speaking with Flores for over 40 minutes. Authorities say officers issued repeated verbal commands and employed less-lethal options in an effort to gain compliance.

“However much time it takes to get that resolved peacefully is what we try to do,” said Capt. Gustavo Araiza with the Palm Springs Police Department in an interview with News Channel 3.

Officers employed two tasers and one less lethal 40mm sponge round in an effort to disarm Flores. Police state Flores continued advancing while armed with a knife, leading officers to discharge their firearms.

Flores was struck during the encounter and transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. No officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.

The newly released critical incident debrief includes body-worn camera footage, drone footage, radio communications, and an overview of the timeline leading up to the shooting. The department said the video is intended to provide transparency while acknowledging that the investigation remains ongoing.

Police said anyone who wanted more information about any officer-involved shootings in Palm Springs could visit its transparency portal, which you can find by clicking here.

In the incident video released by the department, Chief Andy Mills spoke of the unfortunate end to the incident: “We use time, talk and tactics to be able to resolve these things as peacefully as possible. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible.”

The chief continued, “When you put one of our officers in immediate jeopardy of being stabbed, our officers had to respond with lethal force. It’s important for our officers to go home every night at the end of their watch to their families. And unfortunately, sometimes people won’t allow us to make any other decision.”

In the aftermath of the shooting, the department hopes to create more resources and teams capable of handling mental health crises as they look towards resolving situations like these peacefully.

In the 40 minutes officers spent trying to talk Flores down from the second floor of the building, officers with the department’s CBAT (Community Behavioral Assessment Team) were also on scene. Capt. Araiza said that team is comprised of two people: an officer, well-trained in crisis negotiation, and a clinician from Riverside County. News Channel 3 covered the beginning of that partnership in 2025.

Now, though, Capt. Araiza and Lt. Michael Torres said they want to see additional resources to be devoted towards those in crisis. They pointed to teams that could respond to similar situations and provide a full suite of mental health services, from clinicians to defuse a mental health crisis to a nurse who could administer medication. Then, afterwards, they hoped that team could help conduct aftercare and check-in appointments.

Capt. Araiza said that model was showing signs of success elsewhere in Riverside County: “That onsite response is something that we’re looking at to bring. It’s already in the county, but we’re trying to bring it to the east end of the county. A lot of the agencies on the west end are already looking and deploying these these types of tools.”

As is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in Riverside County, the investigation is being conducted by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Force Investigation Detail. Following the investigation, the Riverside County District Attorney’s office will independently review the findings to determine whether the officers’ actions complied with department policy and California law.

The Palm Springs Police Department will also conduct an administrative review to determine if department personal acted in accordance with policy, training and professional standards.

Police have encouraged anyone with additional information, photographs, or video of the incident to contact investigators.

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Dakota Makinen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A new study suggests the path to homeownership is getting longer for many Californians.

According to a report from SmartAsset, the average Californian now needs nearly 14.7 years to save for a down payment on a home — about a year and a half longer than it took a decade ago. For minimum wage workers, that timeline stretches to more than 40 years, highlighting the growing affordability challenges facing prospective buyers.

Despite rising home prices and higher mortgage interest rates, financial experts say buying a home may still be a worthwhile long-term investment, depending on a person’s financial situation and goals.

News Channel 3 spoke with Simon Hobbs, Wealth Advisor with California Financial Partners, about whether homeownership is still attainable, if renting can sometimes make more financial sense, and whether buyers should wait for interest rates to fall before entering the market.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office today announced the name of an 18-year-old male passenger who was among four people killed in a Riverside collision on June 2, 1978.

A Volkswagen Beetle carrying five teenagers was traveling westbound on Arlington Avenue when its driver lost control, crossed the center divider, and struck a sport utility vehicle, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s officials said the driver of the Volkswagen was the only survivor and told investigators at that time that he had met the passenger only the day before and knew little about him, noting that the other three deceased victims were identified during that time.

“Despite years of investigative efforts, the victim remained unidentified until now, nearly 50 years after his death,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau identified the 18-year-old man as Mark Alan Smith, who sustained fatal injuries in the collision.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Missing and Unidentified Human Remains grant program provided resources to the sheriff’s coroner’s bureau to conduct the exhumation, while the nonprofit GenGenies funded the forensic genetic genealogy work that produced the leads needed to identify Smith.

“On behalf of his sister, Pam Bright and family, we extend our sincere appreciation to GenGenies and the Department of Justice’s Missing Persons DNA Program, whose expertise and commitment contributed to this outcome. Together, these efforts have finally given Mark Smith’s family the closure they have long awaited,” the sheriff’s office said.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – N. Indian Canyon Drive was closed for several hours between E Racquet Club and E. Via Escuela after a suspected DUI and road rage crash, which left three people injured on Tuesday afternoon in Palm Springs.

The four-vehicle crash was reported at around 5:20 p.m. on Indian Canyon Drive, just north of Via Escuela.

Police confirmed three people were transported to a local hospital with injuries; one of those patients was reported to be in critical condition.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears one vehicle made a lane change, sideswiping another vehicle. That collision caused the second vehicle to cross into opposing traffic, where it collided head-on with a third vehicle. A fourth vehicle was also involved in the incident,” PSPD Captain Gustavo Araiza wrote in an email to News Channel 3.

Araiza added that the driver who caused the crash, a 30-year-old man from Rancho Cucamonga, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

PSPD added on Wednesday that investigators determined the crash was not the result of a routine traffic violation, but rather a road rage encounter. After the initial collision, police believe the DUI suspect intentionally turned his vehicle toward the victim’s vehicle, causing the collision.

The suspect now faces an additional charge of Assault with a deadly weapon (vehicle).

N. Indian Canyon Drive was reopened just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Luis Avila

UPDATE 7/15 8:04 P.M.: A public forum meant to ease the ongoing dispute between Oscar’s Palm Springs and the Plaza Theatre instead highlighted frustration over who wasn’t there.

The forum, organized by LMC Group founder Kristen Carroll, was intended to bring together representatives from Oscar’s Palm Springs, the Plaza Theatre, Oak View Group and the City of Palm Springs to discuss the ongoing disagreement over the Plaza Theatre’s use of space inside the Oscar’s building.

While Dan Gore, Oscar’s owner, and dozens of community members attended, representatives from Oak View Group, the Plaza Theatre and the City of Palm Springs did not.

The absence drew criticism from audience members, many of whom questioned why key parties chose not to participate.

“It’s disappointing to not see the rest of the players here,” Dan Gore said. “I had a lot of support here. People were here to listen and I think that’s important.”

Carroll said she was encouraged by the community’s turnout, even though the discussion did not include all sides.

“What surprised me was the passion that was there and how much it meant to people,” Carroll said. “The seed was planted. People aren’t always ready to hear that right away, but if a seed is planted, it takes time for it to grow.”

She said the strong public response could eventually encourage the absent parties to join future discussions.

“When the groundswell of the community gets to the point of a critical mass, you can’t ignore it anymore,” Carroll said.

Carroll said she plans to continue reaching out to all parties involved until she gets answers and plans to organize additional public forums.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — A public forum hopes to bring together those at the center of the ongoing dispute between Oscar’s Palm Springs and the Plaza Theatre.

The forum follows News Channel 3’s reporting last week over the theater’s request to continue using space inside the Oscar’s building. Gore had said negotiations broke down because the compensation offered for the space known as the “Green Room” was not enough.

Ahead of Wednesday’s discussion, Gore said he hopes holding the conversation publicly can help move the issue forward.

“Let’s talk about it publicly. I’ve reached out to them multiple times in the past couple years,” Gore said.

The forum is being organized by LMC Group founder Kristen Carroll, who said she wanted to create an opportunity for dialogue before the disagreement creates a lasting divide within the Palm Springs community.

“It’s really about using this one opportunity of discourse to find a way to how do we handle these things and raise each other up,” Carroll said.

Invitations have been extended to representatives from Oscar’s Palm Springs, the Plaza Theatre, Oak View Group, the City of Palm Springs, and other community leaders. As of Tuesday, Gore is the only key participant who has confirmed he will attend.

Carroll acknowledged some invited parties may choose not to participate but said the discussion will move forward regardless.

“I’m prepared for either scenario. I really hope they do. I understand if there’s hesitation,” Carroll said. “My goal is to represent anyone who’s not there in a spirit of openness and to advocate for everyone in a spirit of collaboration and moving forward.”

Whether or not everyone shows up, both Carroll and Gore said they remain hopeful the conversation can lead to common ground.

“For the sake of the community and city… we must continue to work together to come to some sort of agreement where we both succeed.”

News Channel 3 also reached out to Oak View Group. A spokesperson declined a request for an interview and said they could not confirm whether representatives plan to attend Wednesday night’s forum.

The community conversation begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Palm Springs Cultural Center and is open to the public.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors today approved agreements with three nonprofits for the continuation of homeless shelter and related services throughout Riverside County.

In a 3-0 vote without comment — with Supervisor Manuel Perez arriving late and Supervisor Chuck Washington absent — the board signed off on the county Department of Housing & Workforce Solutions’ request for $1.21 million in the current fiscal year to support operations at the Indio-based CoachellaValley Rescue Mission, Path of Life Ministries of Riverside and Valley Restart Shelter in Hemet.

A separate but related compact was additionally approved with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments to administer the program directly involved with emergency homeless shelter referrals.

All of the agreements are set to run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, though they may be abrogated at any time. Total appropriations required over that period will be just over $6 million, originating from the General Fund, according to documents posted to the board’s agenda.

“Shelters provide immediate access to safe, temporary housing and supportive services for vulnerable populations,” the Department of Housing & Workforce Solutions said. “The county has provided these agencies (in the past) with a minimum level of funding to support their year-round operations. Each agency relies on alternative funding sources to fully support their operations.”

Officials said continued access to the homeless assistance programs connect people experiencing homelessness with an array of services — not only temporary shelter — about which many displaced people may be unaware.

First responders, street outreach teams and various community organizations are involved with referrals to the nonprofits’ services.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco will run for reelection in 2028, he confirmed on Tuesday.

Bianco wrote a statement to News Channel 3 confirming his campaign.

“Aside from the Governor election, I have always had every intention of running for re-election in 2028. Under my leadership, the men and women of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office have transformed our agency from one near the brink of failure to one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the country. Because we are successful, we are constantly being attacked anti law enforcement activists and disingenuous politicians. I will fight for safer communities in Riverside County until voters decide they no longer want us to fight criminals and want a different direction. The people who voted me into this position deserve it.”

Bianco was first elected in 2018, defeating longtime Sheriff Stan Sniff. He was reelected to a six-year term in 2022, winning in the primary.

If he were to be reelected, his term would run to 2034.

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Tommy Gallegos

INDIO, Calif. — The Indio City Council is set to decide Wednesday whether to extend the city’s temporary moratorium on new data centers while also considering a permanent ban on the facilities following a recommendation from the city’s Planning Commission.

The issue is scheduled for the council’s July 15 meeting, where members will review the moratorium ordinance and receive a presentation on data centers. According to the agenda, council members will also provide direction on whether to permanently prohibit data centers in Indio or pursue an alternative regulatory framework.

City staff is recommending approval of the item, which includes extending the existing urgency ordinance while the city finalizes its long-term policy. On June 24, the Planning Commission received a presentation on data centers, where public comments were received. The planning commission now recommends banning the establishment of data centers within city limits.

The discussion follows the City Council’s unanimous vote on June 3 to enact a 45-day emergency moratorium on new data center applications. At the time, city officials said there were no active data center proposals in Indio but said the pause would allow staff to study the potential impacts before determining future regulations. Officials indicated the city’s options included adopting strict development standards, extending the moratorium, or pursuing a permanent prohibition.

The debate comes amid growing concern across the Coachella Valley over large-scale data center developments, from the city of Coachella and Desert Hot Springs. Opponents have raised questions about electricity demand, water consumption, environmental impacts, noise, and compatibility with surrounding land uses. Those concerns prompted Indio officials to begin evaluating whether data centers should be allowed within the city at all.

If the council ultimately directs staff to prepare amendments banning data centers, the proposal would return for future public hearings before any permanent ordinance is adopted.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a measure into law that strengthens prosecutors’ ability to prosecute certain multi-county sexual offense cases, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office announced today.

“As prosecutors, our goal is to seek justice while minimizing the impact the legal process has on victims whenever possible,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Ivy Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “AB 2147 helpsaccomplish both by allowing related cases to move forward together. We appreciate Assembly member Pilar Schiavo’s leadership in advancing this legislation and Governor Newsom for signing it into law.”

Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2147, known as the Sexual Predator Accountability Act, on Monday.

Prior to the legislation, some cases involving sexual battery, indecent exposure and annoying or molesting a child had to be prosecuted in the county where the crime occurred, prompting case delays and sometimes forcing victims to testify multiple times in cases involving multiple jurisdictions, according to the D.A.’s office.

The new law allows eligible cases to be prosecuted in a single jurisdiction, officials said.

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Garrett Hottle

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A year after a similar proposal died for lack of support, the Board of Supervisors today approved formation of a committee to assess possible measures to improve oversight of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and enhance the agency’s overall operations going forward.

“Watching sausage being made is messy,” Supervisor Jose Medina said after roughly two-and-a-half hours of public testimony Tuesday regarding his and board Chair Karen Spiegel’s joint proposal. “That’s what we have. We have a cross section of the community giving input. It’s messy and takes time, but it’s important.”

In a 4-0 vote — with Supervisor Chuck Washington absent — the board cleared the way for establishment of an ad-hoc committee intended to spend about six months evaluating how best to increase scrutiny of sheriff’s operations, and what might be done to make the agency better, ethically and professionally.

Last July, Medina alone proposed setting up a committee with essentially the same intention, but none of his colleagues would second his motion, which expired for lack of action. That meeting, like the one Tuesday, also generated significant audience participation. There were a total 58 people who signed up to speak, allowed two minutes each. The comments were about 9-to-1 in favor of a committee — virtually unchanged from a year ago.

Since that time, the county’s civil Grand Jury conducted an investigation that culminated in a report citing the benefits of an independent commission to oversee the sheriff’s department, pointing to ongoing liability costs from lawsuits and other concerning developments that warranted heightened attention.

“This is one of the largest counties without a fully empowered civilian oversight body,” a speaker named Nanette told the board while showing a graphic indicating that, over the last dozen years, $126.74 million has been paid out by the county to settle sheriff’s-related lawsuits. “We need strong oversight measures and soon. No more studies, no more delays, no more deaths.”

ACLU attorney Amaris Montes said a public records check confirmed there had been 270 in-custody deaths from 2011 to 2025.

“Of all 58 counties in California, this county had the second-highest number of custody deaths,” she said.

“We need oversight, transparency and supervision,” Elizabeth Ayala told the board. “This is more about the control of our tax dollars and how people will be treated with the policies that the sheriff rules over.”

When a woman from Temecula spoke in favor of Sheriff Chad Bianco, lauding the overall work of patrol deputies, she drew hisses and even shouts from some attendees, leading to a brief verbal confrontation between her and them.

“I know there are emotions and feelings, pro and against, but let’s keep decorum so we can hear all important voices,” Medina told the audience.

Frequent board critic and Bianco supporter Roy Bleckert of Moreno Valley said an ad-hoc committee would only create “more layers of government” without any productive results.

“You want to put this thing under the control of certain factions that will bring us to a place where we should not be,” he said. “Instead of trying to make political theater … there are a lot of things you can do to fix this.”

Chief among them, Bleckert said, is to fully fund the Benoit Detention Center in Indio, which remains only one-third available to facilitate incarcerations.

“We’re very transparent,” Undersheriff Don Sharp said. “My staff do a good job. Unfortunately things happen, and we try to do things better.”

Medina said that despite the setback from inaction last year, “it’s never too late to do the right thing.”

“That’s where we are today,” the supervisor said. “I have no doubt there are many excellent individuals, sheriff’s deputies, doing their jobs. But we must hold all facets of government accountable.”

Spiegel acknowledged the committee proposal had been “spearheaded” by Medina, and said she lent her support to it out of an obligation “to work together and move forward.”

“You get to a point where you have to come to common ground,” she said. “This is not something personal.”

Bianco did not attend the meeting.

When the matter surfaced last summer, as he was beginning his campaign for governor, he expressed aversion to the prospect of a full-time watchdog for the agency, dismissing the committee idea as “divisive partisan politics.”

“We’re here because of a lie,” the sheriff said at the time. “I will not say our agency is perfect, but we’re striving to be the best.”

The Riverside Sheriffs’ Association, which endorsed all of the supervisors except Medina in their election or re-election bids over the last seven years, had only one representative in the queue to speak on Tuesday — RSA President Jose Santos.

“We’re not supporting an oversight body now,” he said. “We’re reserving our final position until we can determine whether this process is fair.”

Medina noted in his proposal last year that Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties had all moved forward with establishing oversight committees, but it wasn’t clear how much additional financial burden that had placed on the jurisdictions.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department regularly leads among county agencies in the number of lawsuits filed annually naming the department as a defendant. The suits often stem from deputy-involved shootings.

In 2014, then-Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, disturbed by the millions of dollars in liability claims the county was having to settle every year, proposed making agencies responsible for paying their own settlements out of their individual budgets. The sheriff’s department was the principal opponent of the concept, which didn’t garner support.

Details on the oversight committee’s likely makeup and future hearings were not yet available.

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