Brawley shooting leaves 1 dead, 1 hospitalized
BRAWLEY — The Brawley Police Department is currently seeking a suspect in connection to a shooting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Fillco gas station in the 900 block of Main Street that left one man dead and another hospitalized.
Officers had arrived on scene in response to a report of gunshots and encountered two shooting victims inside a parked vehicle at the gas station. One of the victims, a 24- year- old Brawley resident, was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, said BPD Cmdr. Brett Houser.
A second gunshot victim, conscious and alert, had fled the area and was located a short distance from the scene, Brawley police reported. The second victim was transported to Pioneers Memorial Hospital.
The second victim’s medical status is unknown as of press time.
The Brawley Police Department Investigations Detectives
responded to the location, and during the course of the investigation an alleged suspect was identified as 27- year- old Eduardo Tolentino.
The suspect fled the scene driving a silver and black 2004 Jeep Cherokee, California license plate number 7WUW019. Brawley Police advised the incident is being investigated by the Brawley Police Department Investigation Division as an ongoing murder and attempted murder investigation.
“The suspect is to be considered ARMED & DANGEROUS and should not be approached,” the department said in a release. “If you believe you have seen Tolentino or the silver and black 2004 Jeep Cherokee, contact 9- 1- 1 Emergency immediately. Anyone with non-emergency information is encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Rotner at ( 760) 351- 7777.”
Imperial Valley College issued a statement on its Facebook page in response to an unconfirmed report that the alleged shooter was an IVC student.
“It is alleged that an IVC student was involved in a shooting in Brawley. We have confirmed that the alleged student involved is not on campus and that there is no imminent danger to the campus.” the college posted. “If any potential threat is identified all students, faculty and staff will be notified immediately and provided specific directions. We are working closely with law enforcement since your safety is our priority.”