16-Year-Old Boy Shot to Death in Drive-By Attack

SANTA ANA — A 16-year-old boy was shot and killed Tuesday in a drive-by attack that police believe was gang related.

Jesus Garcia and two friends were walking east on Hemlock Way toward South Shelton Street about 3:15 p.m. when two men approached them in a compact car, also heading east, Santa Ana Police Lt. Bob Helton said.

When they reached the corner, the teens began yelling at each other and the passenger of the car fired a handgun, striking Garcia in the head and upper body, Helton said. Garcia died at the scene.

Police said it is unknown who started the confrontation.

Garcia is listed in Police Department files as a known gang member, but Helton said the Santa Ana teen appears to have no criminal record. Garcia and his friends had been at Garcia’s house before the shooting, Helton said.

“We do believe the boys in the car were also gang members,” he said.

Garcia’s friends ran when gunfire erupted, one fleeing east and the other west on Hemlock Avenue. The car went north on Shelton Street.

The dead teen’s friends were taken into custody by police as witnesses later in the afternoon. Helton said it appears that Garcia and his friends were not armed.