The Region - News from March 21, 1986

A man shot and wounded the assistant manager of a senior citizens’ apartment complex in Indio, then barricaded himself inside with a woman friend, authorities said. Benito Bocanegra, believed to be in his 60s, and the woman, Rita Flores, later surrendered to police at the Indio Gardens Senior Citizens’ Apartment House. Police spokesman Gary Heckman said there was an argument, during which Bocanegra reportedly fired at least four shots from a handgun at assistant manager Danella Johnson, who was struck twice in the upper arm, Heckman said. Bocanegra then ran to his apartment with Flores and locked the door. A dozen elderly residents were evacuated while a police negotiator talked to Bocanegra by phone. Police said Flores helped persuade the man to leave the room. Investigators had not determined what led to the outburst. Johnson was hospitalized in stable condition.