One person Injured in Targeted Shooting Outside Cinemark Theater

EL CENTRO — A man is recovering from gunshot wounds after a shooting early Thursday morning at the Cinemark theater on South Dogwood Road.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office activity logs indicate that a reporting party called at 1:03 a.m. to report the shooting. The caller described witnessing a man in a black hoodie and face mask shoot at a man and woman as they exited the theater complex. According to the report, the injured man fell, while the woman fled the scene.

The suspect was seen fleeing in a white vehicle, and deputies later searched for a white Honda and a black sedan in the Heber area, though no suspect vehicles were located.

At the scene, deputies discovered three bullet casings. Meanwhile, El Centro Regional Medical Center reported that a man and woman had walked into the hospital with gunshot wounds.

The El Centro Police Department issued a statement confirming that officers responded to the theater at approximately 1:00 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found evidence corroborating the shooting. Investigators believe the incident began with an argument inside the theater between the male victim and the suspect. After leaving the premises, the suspect reportedly produced a handgun and shot the victim multiple times.

Authorities have classified the case as an attempted murder and said that their investigation indicates the attack was targeted rather than random.

The El Centro Police Department’s Investigations Bureau is actively pursuing leads and has asked the public for assistance. Detective A. Garrido is leading the investigation and can be reached at 760-352-2111.

As the investigation continues, residents with information are encouraged to contact the police department in person, by phone, or through its social media channels.