Two 19-Year-Olds Ordered to Stand Trial in La Quinta Teen's Murder

Two 19-year-old men accused of killing a La Quinta High School student have been ordered to stand trial following a preliminary hearing Monday.

Elijah Alfredo Martinez of Bermuda Dunes and Dominick Cruz Venecia of Coachella are charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Jaden Ramos. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Arthur Hester found sufficient evidence to proceed with trial on the murder count and sentence-enhancing gun use allegations.

The fatal shooting occurred around 2:30 a.m. on May 19, 2024, at a post-prom party on Paseo Del Rey near La Quinta Park. Sheriff's deputies initially responded to reports of a shooting but found no victim at the scene. They later learned Ramos had been transported to a Coachella Valley hospital, where he died from gunshot wounds.

Martinez was arrested the following day on Airport Boulevard in Thermal, while Venecia was taken into custody the next night near Avenue 50 and Mazatlan Drive in Coachella. Both arrests occurred without incident. According to the criminal complaint, Venecia is alleged to be the gunman.

Sheriff's officials have not disclosed a possible motive for the killing. Neither defendant has documented prior felony convictions in adult court.

Both men remain free on bond pending further proceedings. Their next court appearance is scheduled for August 27 at the Indio courthouse, though no specific trial date has been set.