The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has identified the victim of a shooting that took place near a Coachella middle school on June 2.
Responding to a report of a shooting on the 85000 block of Cairo Avenue, deputies from Thermal Sheriff’s Station found a man with multiple gunshot wounds, Sgt. Ed Baeza said in a news release.
After being transported to a nearby hospital, the victim succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead. Deputies identified him as Jose A. Molina, 32, of Coachella, Baeza said.
“The investigation is ongoing,” he said.
According to News Channel 3 (KESQ), the shooting took place across the street from Bobby Duke Middle School, by the intersection of Shady Lane and Date Avenue. While the department’s news release contained no information on any suspects, KESQ reports that deputies said a man fled the scene before they arrived.
KESQ also reported that the department temporarily would be using a portion of the middle school as a command post. While the school was not in danger, there was additional police presence in the school’s parking lot the next day to give parents peace of mind when they dropped off their children Thursday morning.
The Central Homicide Unit is at the helm of the ongoing investigation, Baeza said. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is encouraged to call Investigator Anderson of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777 or Investigator Glasper of the Thermal Sheriff’s Station at (760) 863-8990.
Anyone also may submit information using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.
