Suspect takes security guard’s gun, shoots woman at Cathedral City restaurant
Desert Hot Springs CA June 3 2019
A Desert Hot Springs man is accused of taking a security guard’s gun and shooting a woman early Sunday at a Cathedral City restaurant.
The shooting was reported just before 2 a.m. at Guatemala Grill at Ramon Road and Laundau Boulevard.
A suspect, Brian Arrellano Vital, 22, fled but was arrested several miles away after being followed by witnesses, according to Cathedral City police.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a gunshot wound to her upper body, but her condition wasn’t available Sunday morning. She’s described as a 32-year-old Desert Hot Springs resident.
According to police, the armed security guard got into a fight with several customers as the business was closing and the suspect took his gun during the altercation.
The security guard dialed 911 as he followed the suspect outside and Arellano Vital allegedly pointed the gun at him and demanded he drop his phone or else he’d be shot, police said.
A second dispute developed in the parking lot and the suspect shot one woman and pistol whipped another before fleeing in a vehicle with several other people.
Witnesses followed them and called police, who tracked the vehicle to the Arco gas station on Palm Drive, north of Interstate 10.
Law enforcement officials from several agencies converged on the vehicle and took the suspect into custody around 3 a.m., according to Riverside County jail records.
The gun was recovered and Arellano Vital was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He’s being held in lieu of $1 million bail and may appear in Riverside County Superior Court as early as Wednesday.
Guatemala Grill is among a handful of businesses in Ramon Plaza, including restaurants, an insurance company and a locksmith.
It was open for business Sunday and filled around noon with families sitting at tables and individuals at the bar. Guatemala Grill has a dance floor, but there were no dancers or musicians.
An employee told The Desert Sun everyone was fine at the restaurant but referred questions to management, who weren’t immediately available.
Police said anyone with information could call (760) 770-0300.
The shooting about two months after a fight resulted in a double shooting at a Palm Springs nightclub.
On March 24, two men were shot at Toucans Tiki Lounge in Palm Springs after a fight broke out inside shortly before the business closed for the evening.
The involved parties were escorted outside before shots were fired, Palm Springs police said. Two men were hit by gunfire, but their injuries weren’t life threatening.
The Toucans shooting happened days after Palm Springs leaders suspended the conditional-use permit for Zelda’s Nightclub, another popular dance spot in the city’s Sun Center plaza, for failing to stay in compliance with a security plan..
Police argued the nightclub’s security cameras hadn’t been working properly and hampered investigations into multiple crimes.
Most recently, a fatal shooting happened outside the nightclub in the Sun Center’s parking lot early Jan. 20. A 14-year-old boy also was injured and no suspects have been arrested.
Zelda’s permit was officially revoked nearly two weeks ago.
Desert Sun
