Murder Charges Filed Against Two Suspects in Whitewater Shooting

Murder charges were formally filed today against two men accused of being involved in the fatal shooting of a man whose lifeless body was discovered last week outside a vehicle in Whitewater, a small community in Riverside County.

The suspects, Daniel Tomas Pacheco, a 40-year-old resident of Whitewater, and Juan Reyes, a 48-year-old resident of Palm Springs, have been charged with one count each of murder. In addition, both individuals face charges of being convicted felons and narcotic addicts in possession of a firearm, according to court records. Pacheco also faces an allegation of using a firearm, while Reyes is accused of discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury.

Pacheco is scheduled to be arraigned at the Larson Justice Center this afternoon, while a date for Reyes’ arraignment has not yet been set.

The incident came to light when deputies responded to a call at approximately 12:46 p.m. last Wednesday reporting a deceased individual inside a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence located in the 15700 block of Country View Road. Riverside County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson, Sgt. Deirdre Vickers, confirmed the details of the incident to City News Service.

“Upon arrival, deputies conducted a thorough search of the property and discovered the lifeless body of a male near a parked vehicle,” stated RCSD Sgt. Ben Ramirez in an official statement. “The area was secured, and an investigation was immediately initiated.”

The victim has been identified as 32-year-old Johnny Sanchez from Desert Hot Springs.

The Central Homicide Unit took over the investigation, ultimately determining that Sanchez had been shot at the property. Subsequently, Pacheco and Reyes were identified as suspects in the case.

Pacheco was initially detained at the scene and subsequently arrested on Thursday, according to Ramirez. Reyes was apprehended around 2 p.m. Thursday in the 35000 block of East Palm Canyon Road in Palm Springs by members of the Coachella Valley Violent Crimes Gang Task Force and the sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit.

Both suspects are currently being held at the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio. Reyes is being held without bail, while Pacheco’s bail has been set at $1 million, according to inmate records.

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact Investigator Brown at the Palm Desert sheriff’s station at 760-836-1600 or Investigator Munoz at the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.

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