Crime
19-Year-Old Charged with Murder Following Fatal Shooting Outside Food 4 Less in Indio
A firearm believed to have been used in the shooting was also recovered at the scene, police confirmed.
Indio, CA — A 19-year-old man, identified as Gideon Gonzalez Jr. of Indio, has been formally charged with murder in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred over the weekend outside a Food 4 Less store.
Gonzalez is accused of fatally shooting 26-year-old Lorenzo Segoviano on the evening of Saturday, February 3, 2024.
In addition to the murder charge, Gonzalez faces two counts of assault with a firearm and two counts of child cruelty. He is scheduled to be arraigned on these charges later today at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
According to a statement from the Indio Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting around 5:40 p.m. at 82124 Highway 111.
Upon arrival, they discovered Segoviano suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite officers’ attempts to administer life-saving measures, Segoviano was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses reported that the suspect fled the scene, moving southeast through the shopping center. Officers were able to quickly locate and detain Gonzalez nearby.
A firearm believed to have been used in the shooting was also recovered at the scene, police confirmed.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident began inside the store as a verbal dispute, which escalated into a physical altercation once both parties exited the building.
During the confrontation, Gonzalez allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot Segoviano as the victim attempted to flee.
Gonzalez was arrested shortly after the shooting and booked into the Southwest Detention Center on $1 million bail the following morning, according to inmate records.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information about this case to contact the Indio Police Department at 760-391-4057.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.