Teenage Boy Shot and Killed in La Quinta

Teen shot and killed in shopping center.

LA QUINTA — Detectives were searching Monday for a 17-year-old boy suspected of shooting and killing a 16-year-old inside a car at a La Quinta shopping center.

Just before 2 a.m., deputies received a report of a shooting in the 78900 block of Highway 111, according to a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department press release.

They found the 16-year-old dead in a car at the shopping center, which includes a Kohl’s, Sephora and Hobby Lobby.

Investigators then identified the 17-year-old boy as the suspect in the shooting, which deputies believe happened inside the vehicle, according to the press release. He had not been arrested as of Monday afternoon.

Neither teen’s name has been released.

This investigation is currently ongoing and no further information will be released at this time. If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to call Investigator Mendoza with the Central Homicide Unit at 951–955–2777 or Investigator Henson at the Thermal Station Investigations Bureau at 760–863–8990.