Three Men Charged in Thermal Drive-By Shooting Targeting Home and Deputies

Turning to more local headlines this evening, three men accused of opening fire on a Thermal home and striking a sheriff’s patrol car during a drive-by attack have now been formally charged with multiple counts of attempted murder and other offenses.

Eighteen-year-olds Eric Orozco Diaz, Guillermo Alexander Martinez, and Gustavo Barrera-Pena were arrested a few days ago following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation.

According to deputies, the non-injury shooting happened Friday night near Avenue 70. Deputies were already in the area responding to reports of shots fired when a vehicle drove past and unleashed multiple rounds—some of which hit their squad car. Fortunately, no deputies were hurt, and no shots were fired in return.

In total, prosecutors say the three defendants are facing just over two dozen charges connected to the attack.