A Joshua Tree man is in custody, on suspicion of attempted murder, after shooting at his tenant at point-blank range three times. According to Sheriff’s Sergeant James Porter, Octavio Diaz, 50, went to the home of Brian Sturmreiter, 49, in the 62400 block of Blemont Avenue in Joshua Tree about noon Monday over a rent dispute. Diaz brought a .22-caliber handgun with him; the two men argued, and Diaz shot at Sturmreiter three times, grazing him in the head with one shot. Diaz then fled in his vehicle. Deputies found Octavio Diaz near by and arrested him for investigation of attempted murder. Porter said the gun was found in the car with him. Diaz was booked at the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $1 million. Sturmreiter was taken to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs and was treated and released. During the investigation, Rene Diaz, 25, drove through police cones, past Sheriff’s patrol cars and crime scene tape, before stopping behind a patrol car. Diaz then honked at deputies, got out of his vehicle and yelled at them to get out of his way and off his property. Rene Diaz was arrested for entering a crime scene, cited and released.
