Homicide Rate Spikes in Cathedral City

CATHEDRAL CITY – Some residents were still basking in the glow of the New Year when on Jan. 13, police were called to a shooting at 4:42 p.m. at 31033 Date Palm Drive. It would later be labeled a homicide.

Police responded to a scene near Date Palm Drive and McCallum Way, regarding a disturbance between a male and female, reported at 4:42 p.m. A Cathedral City police officer arrived a short time after, at which point the officer saw a Hispanic male shoot a Hispanic female, killing her.

The incident happened in front of the officer. The suspect immediately began shooting at the officer, striking the officer’s police vehicle several times. The officer then returned fire, striking the suspect. Cathedral City Fire Department paramedics were immediately dispatched to assist with emergency medical aid. The suspect was then transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

The female was reported deceased at the scene as a result of the injuries from the shooting.

It was just the beginning.

That murder would be followed by a half dozen more in less than 10 months.

Cathedral City has seen an increase in the homicide rate in 2019. There have been a total of seven homicides to date, when the city averages approximately three homicides a year, according to Acting Police Chief Anthony Yoakum.

Staff is scheduled to give an update on the crime picture in Cathedral City and discuss what steps are being taken to address the issues when the City Council meets in Study Session on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

This item is presented for information, discussion and direction only.

Normally no action is taken on Study Session items, however, the City Council reserves the right to give specific policy direction and take specific action as necessary.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation keeps track of the total number of homicides that occur every year. The reports are often published in the late fall of the following year. So, the FBI Criminal Report in terms of the murder rates by state for 2017 was published and released for public viewing in September of 2018. The reports detailing the homicide rates by state for the previous year of 2018 have not yet been compiled, but you can expect to read the data for 2018 in the fall of 2019.

 

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