Deputies Respond After Shooting Victims Found in Vehicle at Apple Valley ARCO Gas Station

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Deputies conducted an investigation after two shooting victims were located in the parking lot of a gas station in Apple Valley on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a major law enforcement and medical response.

Just before 1 p.m., on December 3, 2025, deputies with the Apple Valley Police Department were dispatched to the ARCO located on Bear Valley Road and Kiowa Road after receiving reports of two gunshot victims in a vehicle.

According to witnesses, a female who appeared to have been shot in the leg was removed from the vehicle by paramedics and treated on a stretcher. A second victim, reported to be a male, was also believed to have been shot in the back.

Both victims were transported by ambulance to a hospital, and their current conditions remain unknown.

Deputies later determined the actual shooting occurred in a dirt lot on Laguna Road near Running Deer Road, approximately one mile south of the gas station. The victims are believed to have driven to the ARCO following the shooting.

Nearby schools, including Apple Valley High School and Sandia Academy, were placed on lockdown as a precaution due to the proximity of the investigation.

Deputies taped off the entire gas station parking lot, which was temporarily closed to the public as part of the investigation. 

A black four-door Kia Forte that was parked in one of the spots just outside the front doors of the gas station, appeared to be the focus of deputies’ attention and the investigation. 

At about 2:30 p.m., the crime scene tape was removed and the store was reopened. The Kia was towed away from the scene.

It’s unknown if anyone has been arrested. No suspect information or motive has been released.

VVNG has reached out to the Public Information Officer for additional details on the ongoing investigation.

The article will be updated as more information becomes available.

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