FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: Cathedral City Police (760) 770-0300
Issuing Employee: Sergeant Albert Ruiz – 760-770-0300 – aruiz@cathedralcity.gov
Type of Case: Negligent Discharge of a Firearm / #2112-3517
Date/Time of Initial Incident: December 15, 2021 / 1909 hours.
Location of Occurrence: 68100 block of Peladora Road, Cathedral City, CA
Summary:
On December 15, 2021, at approx. 1909 hours, Cathedral City Police Department (CCPD) officers were dispatched to the 68100 block of Peladora Road regarding a 14 YO juvenile who was shot by his father while manipulating his recently purchased firearm. It appears the father was handling the new firearm and pointed the weapon toward a bedroom wall, believing the firearm was empty of ammunition. He pulled the trigger and the bullet traveled through the wall striking a chair where his 14 YO son was seated. The bullet traveled through the chair’s backrest and struck the 14 YO juvenile on the left side of his back. The juvenile was alert and conscious and transported to a local hospital for treatment. The gunshot wound did not strike vital organs and the bullet was removed with no complications. The 14 YO was later discharged from the hospital in good health.
CCPD Detectives were notified and responded to the scene and assisted with the completion of the investigation. Based on the information and evidence collected, the father was not arrested at the scene. Once the investigation is complete it will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review.
***Weapon Safety Rules***
- Treat all firearms as if they were loaded.
- Always beware of where a firearm is pointed.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot (shooting range)
- Know how to properly operate your firearm.
- It is important to become thoroughly familiar with your firearm.
- Know how to properly load and unload your firearm.
- Store your firearm safely and securely to prevent unauthorized use.
- Firearms and ammunition should be stored separately.
- Use a California-approved firearms safety device on the firearm, such as a trigger lock or cable lock, so it cannot be fired.
- The firearm should be stored in a California-approved lockbox or a gun safe.