La Quinta, California – Riverside County investigators have reopened a 2002 fatal shooting in La Quinta, renewing calls for public assistance in a case that has remained unsolved for more than two decades.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Central Homicide Unit, deputies responded around 4:15 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2002, to a reported traffic collision near Avenida Mendoza and Calle Durango. When deputies arrived, they located 27-year-old Hernan Marquez of Indio inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.
Investigators determined Marquez had allegedly been attending a house party in the 52200 block of Avenida Mendoza, where an altercation occurred. Authorities said that as Marquez was leaving the area, he was allegedly shot by an unknown individual. He then drove away at a high rate of speed before losing control of his vehicle and colliding with several parked cars.
Despite an extensive investigation at the time, no arrests were made and the case went cold.
Nearly 23 years later, the Central Homicide Unit recently reexamined the case as part of ongoing cold case reviews. Officials said advancements in forensic technology led investigators to identify new leads and follow-up tasks, prompting the case to be officially reopened.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Master Investigator Robertson or Deputy Lucifora at 951-955-2777.
For Coachella Valley residents, the renewed appeal underscores the lasting impact of unresolved violence in the community.
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