Suspect takes security guard’s gun, shoots woman at Cathedral City restaurant, police say
Colin Atagi Palm Springs Desert Sun Published 11:33 a.m. PT June 2, 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 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.
