Local & Community
Couple Shot By An Officer Demands Answers
The two victims, who were shot at by a Bureau of Land Management office, are still shaken and very confused, wondering why they were targeted Sunday night. Today we spoke to Investigator Muñoz with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, and he confirmed the Sheriff’s office has taken over the case.
“Just horrible, horrible situation what they did…”
Horrible because Pedro and Denise Mejia say they were blindsided by bullets Sunday night.
“They were like hiding up there, they were literally…when they turned on their headlights the vehicles were behind bushes, behind trees. They’re supposed to be out there helping people,” said Pedro.
The couple claims that help never came for them, when they got a flat tire while off-roading on the Berdoo Canyon Trail.
“If they were out there when we were flashing our lights to signal someone why didn’t they come, why didn’t they come up to see who we were or if we needed help, instead of ambushing us,” Denise told KMIR.
So could it be that the officer who was with the bureau of land management, shot the wrong people?
“I can’t be direct, but there’s a lot of possibilities.
He can’t be direct because the case is still under investigation, but what he can tell us is that a Bureau of Land Management officer has been put on administrative leave regarding this particular case.
The Bureau of Land Management (or BLM) administers over 200 million acres of public lands in the United States, and 15 million acres in California. Officers who are a part of the Bureau of Land Management are federal officers and cover Bureau Land Management Land. Therefore, they are armed while on the job.
Some of the Bureau’s priorities include, protecting the people, restoring trust, and being a good neighbor, but Pedro says, that night, they weren’t good neighbors at all.
“Horrible, the whole situation how they handled it, like if we were some sort of criminals…all we were doing was riding the desert. For them to just shoot us like that, it’s not right.”
However, Investigator Muñoz assures that the Riverside Sheriff’s Office is doing their part to make sure the truth comes out.
“We don’t take any sides in anything that we do. We conduct an investigation whether it be a burglary investigation, or an officer involved shooting investigation, or a homicide investigation. We conduct interviews, we collect evidence, and we write our reports,” said Muñoz
In the meantime, the couple is sending a message of caution to all off-roaders.
“Riders, be careful out there. There’s a lot of good people that ride and just be aware that they are shooting people now…and we don’t want anything else traumatic to happen. We don’t want people to be arming themselves afraid that they are going to get shot too.”
Denise continues recovering from hand surgery, and 15 staples that were applied to her head after a bullet grazed it. At this time we know that the investigation has been taken over by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, and, there is no word yet on how long it will take to wrap it up.
By: NBC Palm Springs
June 14, 2018
Latest Instagram Posts
In 1981, millionaire Thelma Gaston disappeared, leaving her family with decades of unanswered questions. Now, advances in genetic genealogy and forensic technology have helped solve the mystery of what happened to her. After 45 years, Thelma’s identity is restored, and her full story is finally being told. Watch Identifying Jane Doe: Thelma Gaston’s story only on NBC Palm Springs. #coldcase #coachellavalley #solved #nbcpalmsprings #thelmagaston
🚨 EXCESSIVE FORCE ADMISSION: A former Desert Hot Springs police officer has pleaded guilty after using excessive force on two 17-year-old boys during an arrest in 2024. Johnny Acosta, 31, had his felony charges reduced to misdemeanors as part of a plea deal. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service. Acosta was fired from the department following an internal investigation. #DesertHotSprings #PoliceMisconduct #CoachellaValley #BreakingNews
☕️ Social Time: what’s your favorite brand of coffee? And Jerry asks if a K-Cup is an A-Cup. 😂
Zero room for error. Watching this semi clip the mountainside on Highway 74 will have you holding your breath. Does a truck this size belong on a road this narrow? Let us know what you think in the comments👇 #therogginreport #hwy74 #trafficalert #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
El Niño season is here, and the Coachella Valley could see heavier rainfall and flash flooding this winter. Brett Rosen speaks with Palm Springs fire officials about flood dangers, water rescues, and how to prepare. Watch all week on NBC Palm Springs and visit NBCPalmSprings.com. #NBCPalmSprings #CoachellaValley #ElNino #flashflooding
🚨 FORMER COACHELLA SCHOOL EMPLOYEE FACING FELONY SEX CRIME CHARGES A 26-year-old former employee of Nova Academy Early College High School in Coachella is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage student. Brittany Jaramillo of Indio faces multiple felony charges after prosecutors say the alleged abuse occurred in September 2025. Authorities say a tip led to her arrest last week. The school confirms she is no longer employed there. The judge set her bail at $30,000 and she is now out of custody on an ankle monitor. #Coachella #Indio #BreakingNews #CoachellaValley #LocalNews #NovaAcademy
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry.
You know campaign texts are out of control when they text you a video of yourself to tell you how to vote 😆 How many campaign texts have you received this week? #therogginreport #measurep #localnews #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
Meet Amelia McMahon, the woman behind Amelia’s Donuts Bakery & Cafe in Idyllwild, where a passion for baking has turned into a community gathering spot — and an inspiration to other women chasing their dreams. After bringing homemade donuts to the kids at school, Amelia turned that passion into a business. This December, she’ll celebrate seven years in business! ❤️ For National Women’s Small Business Month, we’re celebrating Amelia and the female entrepreneurs making a difference in their communities. Her advice to women who dream of starting their own business? Have a plan, surround yourself with supportive people, believe in yourself, and just go for it! 🎥 Kai Beach shares Amelia’s inspiring story with NBC Palm Springs. #WomensSmallBusinessMonth #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusiness #Idyllwild #WomenEntrepreneurs NBCPalmSprings InspiringStories
Candy and costumes! Halloween is a time for festive fun, but some of those holiday hallmarks can stress out our pets. Patrick Cornell shares tips to keep your fur friends safe through all the spooky excitement.