Southern California man arrested for gang-related murder he allegedly committed when he was 17

SAPD patrol car, seen here in this archive photo. (Santa Ana Police Department)

A 19-year-old from Orange County has been arrested for a murder he allegedly committed over two years ago.

In a media release, Santa Ana Police said the fatal shooting occurred on April 28, 2022 at 7:23 p.m. in an alley near 1400 South Minnie Street in Santa Ana.

Officers responding to the call found an unconscious man in a vehicle with gunshot wounds to the upper body, SAPD said.

Another man was also found at the scene with a gunshot wound to his upper body, police added.

Both victims were taken to nearby hospitals, where one survived and the other succumbed to his injuries.

The dead man is Tustin resident Robert Izelo, who was just 18 years old at the time of the shooting. The identity of the surviving victim has not been released, although earlier reports have stated that he is Izelo’s cousin.

From the investigation, detectives concluded that the shooting was related to gang violence. They were also able to identify the suspect as Kevin Chavez of Santa Ana, who was just 17 years old at the time of the murder.

Chavez, now 19, had evaded authorities for more than two years before he was arrested Friday in Santa Ana, Santa Ana police confirmed. The circumstances of his arrest were not disclosed.

He was taken to the Orange County Juvenile Detention Center and charged with murder.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Detectives at 714-245-8390. Calls can also be directed to Orange County Crime Stoppers (1-855-847-6227).

Police confirmed that the case qualifies for the department’s Gang Rewards program.