Desert Hot Springs police arrest juvenile in fatal stabbing

Desert Hot Springs police have arrested a minor in connection to a stabbing that killed one person and injured another last week.

Officers responded to a physical altercation near Two Bunch Palms Trail and Nahum Drive around 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, police said in a press release. They found two victims with stab wounds. One of them was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was taken to the hospital.

Police said the suspect was arrested soon after detectives took over the investigation. They gave no details about the suspect, including their gender or age.

It was the second homicide within days in nearly the same spot.

A man died and two others were injured in a shooting on the 66-800 block of Two Bunch Palms Trail on July 17, near Desert Springs Middle School and a short distance from where the stabbing would happen two days later.

In response to these recent homicides in the city, Police Chief Jim Henson and Mayor Scott Matas released a video posted on Facebook. Henson said the police department has increased police presence and patrols throughout the community.

“We will not tolerate any acts of violence in our city,” he said. “Every resident deserves to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods.”

Mayor Scott Matas said the city wants to ensure the safety of residents.

“This is obviously a small faction in our community doing things they shouldn’t be doing and our police chief and his department is on top of it,” Matas said.

The city said anyone with information about a crime or public safety can go to cityofdhs.org/submit-an-anonymous-tip.

Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Desert Hot Springs police arrest juvenile in fatal stabbing