Staff Reports

Santa Ana – On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at midnight, patrol officers were dispatched to a call of shots fired in the area of Sullivan Street. Witnesses informed officers they had heard approximately 4 to 5 shots fired. While at the call, officers learned that a 17-year old male – later identified as Angel Arellano – arrived with multiple gunshot wounds at Coastal Community Hospital. Arellano was immediately transported to Western Medical Center in critical condition, where he died from his injuries. Officers located the crime scene in the 500 block of S. Sullivan Street.

Victim Arellano – a documented Townsend Street gang member – was one of the individuals the Orange County District Attorney’s Office was seeking to enjoin the current Townsend Street Injunction.

According to an article written on the VoiceofOC.org (Aug. 20), the Injunction is essentially a restraining order that would restrict the activities of a gang’s members in a .39-square mile safety zone bordered by McFadden Avenue, and Raitt, Sullivan and First streets. Those enjoined would be prohibited from associating with gang members in public spaces within the safety zone, with the exception of certain spaces such as schools or churches. The order also prohibits gang members from acting as lookouts, trespassing, fighting, blocking free passage, or intimidating anyone in public. This shooting occurred within the gang injunction safety zone.

It is reported that residents in Santa Ana are frustrated with what they call police mistreatment and abuse of authority in the Townsend Street neighborhood. In fact, victim Arellano was contesting the injunction. A pretrial hearing is currently set for Jan. 13, 2015 on the case.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD Homicide detectives at (714) 245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. The Santa Ana Police Department is offering a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of gang homicide or felony gang assault suspects.