Triple shooting tied to illegal immigrant smuggling

March 12, 2010 | 8:39 am

Detectives are investigating whether a triple shooting that left two men dead in Moreno Valley was tied to a "drop house" used to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States.

The shooting occurred about 6:15 p.m. Thursday in the 21000 block of Bay Avenue. One victim died at the scene. A second was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.


While investigators were at the scene, they discovered a third victim who had run to a nearby store after he was wounded, Deputy Melissa Nieburger said.

The man was taken to a hospital. His condition was not known.

The Press-Enterprise said the surviving shooting victim claimed that a "coyote" who had smuggled him and others into Moreno Valley opened fire after demanding money for his efforts.

No suspects were in custody. Detectives were at the scene Thursday night interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence.

--Robert J. Lopez and Ann M. Simmons

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... house.html