On November 1, 2023, 32-year-old Johnny Sanchez of Desert Hot Springs was found fatally shot near a parked vehicle in the driveway of a residence in the 15700 block of Country View Road in Whitewater. Deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station secured the scene and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit took over the investigation.

Investigators identified two suspects: 40-year-old Daniel Tomas Pacheco of Whitewater and 48-year-old Juan Reyes of Palm Springs. Pacheco was detained at the scene and arrested on November 2; Reyes was apprehended later that day in Palm Springs. Both were charged with one felony count each of murder and being a convicted felon and narcotic addict in possession of a firearm. Pacheco faces a sentencing enhancement for using a firearm; Reyes is accused of discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury. Pacheco was booked with bail set at $1 million; Reyes was held without bail. Both pleaded not guilty at arraignments in early November 2023 and proceedings are ongoing.

Sanchez had recently moved to Northern California seeking work as a contractor and was visiting family in Desert Hot Springs when he was killed. His ex-girlfriend and family are grieving and his ex-girlfriend is now raising their 14-year-old daughter. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Brown at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station or Investigator Munoz with the Central Homicide Unit.