On October 12, 2024, at approximately 3:23 a.m., deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 51800 block of Shady Lane in Coachella, California. Upon arrival, they discovered 44-year-old Roman Gamboa, a resident of Thermal, California, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The area was secured, and the Central Homicide Unit assumed the investigation.
Following an intensive investigation, authorities identified
two suspects: 18-year-old Gael Silva and a 17-year-old male juvenile, both residents of Coachella. On December 3, 2024, with assistance from the Major Crimes Unit and the Thermal Station Coachella Community Action Team, both suspects were apprehended. Silva was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of murder, while the juvenile was placed in juvenile hall; his identity remains undisclosed due to his age.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Gamboa's death. They have urged anyone with additional information to contact Investigator Ortiz of the Central Homicide Unit at 955-2777 or Investigator Glasper of the Thermal Station at 863-8990. As the investigation is ongoing, further details have not been released at this time.
