Frantic scene follows Brawley gunfire; at least two shot
A frantic scene played out Wednesday afternoon with authorities from at least four agencies tracking down and ultimately capturing in Imperial a vehicle and its two occupants connected to two shootings in Brawley that injured at least two.
Initial reports were sketchy, coming from local police radio traffic and limited information from authorities.
The first shooting was reported in the 1200 block of H Street in Brawley between about 3 p.m. A second shooting was reported a short time later in the 700 block of B Street. Initial reports were there was at least one person shot at each location and the victims were taken to Pioneers Memorial Hospital by private vehicle.
This information was not confirmed by law enforcement officials.
However, Imperial Police Capt. Max Sheffield said officers from that agency aided the California Highway Patrol in stopping a possible suspect vehicle later in the afternoon on Aten Road, east of Clark Road. He referred questions about further details on the stop to the CHP, which did not immediately respond to a voicemail and email seeking comment.
Brawley Police Chief Jimmy Duran also declined comment but said a press release would be issued. One had not been by 6:40 p.m. The county Sheriff ’s Office did not immediately return an email seeking comment and a question if there had been any coroner’s calls related to the shootings.
According to local police scanner recordings, two callers reported shots fired from a vehicle in the 1200 block of H. However, no vehicle description was provided. Next, callers reported there was a possible male victim of a gunshot in that area and that a man was taking another man to the hospital.
The gun was reported as possibly 9-millimeter.
Aid was requested from the Sheriff ’s Office to have deputies block off H at both Palm and Eastern.
Next, an officer was flagged down at Eighth and E streets by someone reporting a person shot in the 700 block of B Street. That victim was also reportedly taken to the hospital by private vehicle.
The B Street incident also resulted in authorities getting the description of a suspect vehicle from witnesses. It was reported as a black fourdoor Acura with two occupants wearing black with black masks. It was reported as traveling in an unknown direction from B Street about
3:20 p.m. Some reports had it being an SUV.
A visit to the H Street area did not result in contact with any witnesses to the shootings.
However, residents said they were surprised to learn about the incident and some, including employees at the La Colmena market at South Palm Avenue and H, said they were not even aware it happened.
Several officers were investigating the H Street scene and the area remained closed to vehicles and pedestrians about 5:30 p.m.
One nearby resident said she considered the area mostly safe and that her children typically play outside, but added she was glad they were indoors Wednesday afternoon.