2 people arrested in connection with gang shooting in Orange County

COSTA MESA – Two men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with a shooting linked to a memorial for a man who was stabbed to death in Costa Mesa earlier this week, authorities said Saturday.

Officers responded to gunshots heard in the 1700 block of Placentia Avenue around 12:25 a.m. Friday, where they found evidence of a shooting but no victims or witnesses, Costa Mesa police reported.

Less than an hour later, the department was notified by a hospital that a male patient was seeking emergency medical treatment for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

“The initial investigation linked this shooting to the memorial on Placentia Avenue for the deceased victim of the June 11 incident,” police said in a statement.

Officers had responded to a stabbing on the same block of Placentia Avenue, near 17th Street, around 11 p.m. Tuesday. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and two suspects, Israel Antonio Valencia, 25, and Christopher Mathew Pena, 18, were arrested Wednesday, according to CMPD Lt. Roxi Fyad.

While investigating the fatal stabbing, police found a 19-year-old man who had previously been attacked at Placentia Avenue and Shalimar Drive. The second victim, who was taken to a hospital by family members, was believed to have been attacked by the same suspect, and authorities said they suspect the attacks were related to gang violence.

Police were able to identify two suspects in connection with the Friday morning shooting, identifying them as Eric Garcilazo, 19, and Elmer Suarez-Morales, 20, both of Costa Mesa. Officers found Suarez-Morales on Friday afternoon, who was stopped in a vehicle and arrested without incident.

Garcilazo was spotted in the 2100 block of Pomona Avenue around 4:30 p.m. Friday. Police said Garcilazo eluded officers and fled, prompting a cordon by the SWAT team, a drone team and a canine unit, leading to traffic delays on Pomona Avenue between Victoria Street and Wilson Street.

About half an hour later, officers found Garcilazo and arrested him.

Police did not provide further details on the suspected connection between the shooting and the memorial. Anyone with information about the stabbings or the shooting is asked to call Costa Mesa police at 714-754-5097.

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