1 dead, 1 critical, after shooting outside PS nightclub

PALM SPRINGS — Authorities in Palm Springs are asking for witnesses to come forward after two men were shot outside a local nightclub early Sunday morning, Jan. 20. One of the victims later succumbed to his injuries, while the other remains in critical, but stable, condition, according to officials. The deadly shooting that happened in the parking lot of Zeldas Nightclub, in the Sun Center, at South Palm Canyon and Camino Parocela.

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Palm Springs Police and Fire Departments, along with other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the business around 1:53 a.m., after receiving “numerous 911 calls reporting gunshots in the area,” Palm Springs PD later said in a social media release.

When officers arrived and found a chaotic scene with a large crowd. Officers were advised that two people who were struck by gunfire in the parking lot had already been rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center by friends and acquaintances.

One of those victims later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel, Sgt. Kyle Stjerne reported from the scene around 7 a.m. this morning. The other man remains in critical condition, but is stable, according to Stjerne.

Officials have not released the names of either victims, pending further investigation and notification of the deceased man’s family.

As their investigation was getting underway officials reportedly found blood trails, spent shell casings, and other evidence related to the shooting on the west side of the parking lot, said Stjerne.

“This investigation is still in the early stages and investigators are on scene collecting evidence and speaking with potential witnesses,” officials explained.

Officials are also reviewing security footage that covered much of the parking lot and investigators are working to determine if the shooting was associated with any of the Sun Center businesses.

As of this report, officers and detectives investigating the shooting had not identified or located any suspects.

“We have no suspect information at this time,” explained PSPD. “We do not know if the suspect(s) knew the victims and we do not know what led to the shooting.”

Anyone with information about this shooting or who witnessed any or all of the incident and has not yet provided a statement is encouraged to contact PSPD at (760) 323-8115. Witnesses who wish to remain anonymous can report what they saw by calling Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

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Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.