More Suspects Arrested in Shooting Near Mall

Additional Suspects Taken into Custody in Connection with Shooting Near Mall

PALM DESERT — On Tuesday June 20, Daniel Santacroce, a 19-year-old resident of Desert Hot Springs, was arrested for his involvement in a shooting in a populated shopping area in the 72-800 block of Highway 111 in the city of Palm Desert on Feb. 2, according to Sgt. Daniel Milbrandt of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The Palm Desert Investigations Bureau and Riverside County Gang Impact Team served a search warrant in the 66000 block of San Remo in Desert Hot Springs.   During the service of the search warrant, a short-barreled rifle, AR-15 parts, and a high-capacity magazine were located.  Santacroce was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center for attempted murder and his bail was set at $1 million. Weapons-related charges will be sought for the items collected during the search warrant.

During the course of this investigation, the Palm Desert Investigations Bureau identified two additional suspects in this shooting. The suspects were identified as 19-year-old Allen Adams and 19-year-old Alexander Alvarado, residents of Adelanto, CA. On March 22, 2023, the Palm Desert Investigations Bureau and Riverside County Gang Impact Team served a search warrant in the 11100 block of Hyattsville Street in Adelanto. Both suspects were arrested for attempted murder and booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility.

The arrests stem from an incident that occurred on Feb. 2 at approximately 2 p.m. Deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to a populated shopping area in the 72-800 block of Hwy 111 in the city of Palm Desert regarding shots fired. Deputies arrived and determined a shooting had occurred.

Based on the investigation, it is believed the incident was a car-to-car, gang-related shooting, with over 40 rounds fired. No one was injured during the incident. Two people of interest from the city of Desert Hot Springs were detained, and several search warrants were written and served during the course of the investigation.

Palm Desert Patrol Deputies, Investigators, Burglary Suppression Team, and Special Enforcement Team conducted an extensive investigation, with vital assistance from Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells Special Enforcement Teams, Gang Task Force, Coachella Valley Narcotics Task Force, Riverside Sheriff’s K9 Team, and Riverside Sheriff’s Aviation Unit.

This investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to call Investigator William Hickok at the Palm Desert Station by calling 760–836–1600.