Cathedral City Father Arrested After Shooting at Son During Late-Night Argument

A Cathedral City man is in custody after a frightening late-night incident in which police say he attempted to shoot his own son inside their home.

The situation unfolded around 11 p.m. on Avenida La Paz, where officers responded to reports of a domestic disturbance involving a firearm. According to authorities, an argument broke out between the father and son after the son refused to buy alcohol for his father.

Nick, the son involved, says his father—an admitted alcoholic and gun enthusiast—became increasingly agitated during the confrontation.

“He’s an alcoholic, and those two things—alcohol and guns—do not mix,” Nick said. “I’m a firm believer in the Second Amendment, but it has to be responsible.”

During the argument, police say the father fired a handgun, with the bullet grazing Nick before traveling through a wall and nearly striking Nick’s girlfriend, who was asleep in a nearby bedroom.

“He missed me by about six inches,” Nick recalled. “The bullet went through the wall and almost hit my girlfriend.”

Nick also shared that his father suffers from dementia, which he believes contributed to the dangerous escalation.

“I don’t think he would have done it if he was in his right state of mind,” he said.

The standoff that followed lasted for hours, with multiple law enforcement agencies responding and attempting to get the suspect to exit the home. Initially believed to be barricaded, officers later determined the man was not refusing to come out—but was too intoxicated and physically unable to do so due to severe mobility issues.

“He didn’t have any problem coming out,” Nick explained. “He just couldn’t. He was immobilized.”

The suspect, who is nearly 80 years old and suffers from additional medical conditions, was eventually removed from the home using specialized equipment and taken to a hospital for evaluation. He was later booked into jail.

Despite the traumatic ordeal, Nick says his focus remains on getting his father help rather than punishment.

“I love my dad,” he said. “I just want him to get better—whether that’s jail, rehab, or whatever help he needs.”

Nick hopes his story will serve as a warning about the importance of responsible gun ownership, especially in homes where mental health issues or substance abuse are present.

“If you own a gun, keep it locked. Keep it away from your kids,” he urged. “And if you are going to have it around them, teach gun safety.”

The investigation remains ongoing.