Shooting Suspect Arrested 

April 2, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on April 1, 2025, members of the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station Investigation Bureau, with the assistance of the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team and Riverside County’s Region 1 Gang Task Force, served a residential search warrant at the 74000 block of Petunia Place in Palm Desert. This search warrant stemmed from an extensive investigation into a gunshot wound victim who arrived at a local hospital on February 26, 2025.

During the investigation, Riverside Sheriff’s Office personnel developed leads and identified the suspect associated with the shooting as 22-year-old Alexander Puentes-Rivera of Palm Desert. While searching his residence, several firearms were discovered, including unserialized guns. As a result, Puentes-Rivera and a 17-year-old juvenile were arrested. Puentes-Rivera was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center for possession of an assault rifle. The juvenile was booked at the juvenile hall for possession of an illegal firearm.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact Investigator Grasso of the Palm Desert Station at (760) 836-1600.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Rovann Cleveland

File # S250570039 

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office