Marco Torrez, 21, was shot and killed on the night of November 17, 2019, in the parking lot behind Super Liquor Store at Palm Drive and Buena Vista Avenue in Desert Hot Springs, California. Officers who responded at about 10:13 p.m. found Torrez with at least one gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving measures.

The investigation led to the arrest the next morning of 19-year-old Matthew Gallegos, taken into custody at an apartment on Third Street. Gallegos was charged with murder and robbery, with enhancements alleging he discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury, was an active gang member, and committed murder during a robbery. He pleaded not guilty and his arraignment was rescheduled from its initial date.

Family described Torrez as loving and hardworking; the community created a memorial and expressed grief. The shooting occurred amid a recent spike in local violence, including another fatal shooting about a half-mile away six days earlier. Anyone with information about Marco or the shooting is asked to come forward.