|
#1
●
12-05-2008, 12:48 PM
|
|
Two Men Fatally Shoot Each Other at Toys R Us
Two men shot and killed each other inside a crowded Toys R Us in Palm Desert, California, on Black Friday in 2008 after a dispute between two women turned into gunfire, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The shooting broke out about 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 28 at the store on Highway 111 as holiday shoppers filled the aisles. Deputies identified the dead as Alejandro Moreno, 39, of Desert Hot Springs, and Juan Meza, 28, of Cathedral City. Investigators said two women who were with the men began fighting inside the store. The men then drew handguns and fired at each other as they moved down the aisles. Both were hit and died at the scene. No other shoppers were struck. "It's a miracle that these were the only two people killed, given it was a crowded toy store," sheriff's Capt. Daniel Wilham said, describing the confrontation as mutual combat. A store clerk called 911 as gunfire echoed through the building. Screams and at least one shot can be heard on the recording, which runs about two and a half minutes. "All I know is these two guys started fighting, and now these two guys are on the floor and both of them are shot," the caller told a dispatcher. "I think this guy's dying. Please hurry." Deputies reached the store before the call ended. Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco said at least one of the men was believed to be a gang member and that both had criminal records. Meza had a tattoo reading "MVM," which investigators linked to a gang based in the Mecca area. Authorities said the killings grew out of bad blood between the two couples rather than the Black Friday shopping crush that has fueled other holiday store violence. No one was arrested. With both gunmen dead, investigators said they were not seeking other suspects, and the two women were not charged.
__________________ Support the site and our continued existance by upgrading to a Green Name |