Victims of double homicide in Coachella identified

COACHELLA — Investigators on Saturday identified the victims of an Easter Sunday double homicide as David Montana Sanchez, 17, and Rodolfo Manuel Lopez, 32, both of Coachella.

They were found dead from gunshot wounds about 4:30 a.m. at their home at Calle Camacho and Calle Rojo.


Investigators called the homicides isolated incidents, but have released few details.

"It's still in a heavy investigative state," Capt. Frank Taylor said Saturday. "We're going to release as much as we can, but nothing that'll jeopardize the investigation."


Meanwhile on Saturday, a Coachella family barbecued outside their home while another held a yard sale around the corner.

Children rode bicycles in the street as adults walked dogs under a sunny sky.

Not unusual on Calle Camacho.

Residents say the area has now reclaimed its easygoing atmosphere in the wake of the April 8 double homicide.

"There are a lot of good people living here," said Francisco Torres, 50. "But if we hear shots, it just scares everyone."

The shootings preceded an assault on Manuel Castro Urena, 43, less than a mile away in the 85-000 block of Hill Drive also on April 8.

Urena died at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio, and Jesus Davila Perea, 37, was later arrested on suspicion of homicide.

These killings were the fifth, sixth and seventh homicides in the Coachella Valley this year.

Neither incident is connected, according to the sheriff's department.

Calle Camacho residents on Saturday were aware of the Hill Drive incident, but they didn't know much about it. Instead, they remained more concerned about the double homicide on their street and hoped there wouldn't be any more shootings.

"Hearing shots is nothing new, but I can't remember the last time someone actually died," said Sophia Velasquez, 30, who lives on Calle Camacho. "People seem fine now, but they're still probably worried."

Investigators said anyone with information should call the sheriff's Thermal station at (760) 863-8460, the Central Homicide Unit at (760) 393-3500 or Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867 to make anonymous tips.


Colin Atagi can be reached at (760) 778-4645 or colin.atagi@thedesertsun.com
Follow @TDSColinAtagi

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