Loved ones are mourning after a shooting killed a 13-year-old boy and left another teen hospitalized in Orange County.
A suspect, Raymond Mario Jimenez, 27, was arrested in connection to the incident, Santa Ana Police confirmed.
The shooting took place on June 5 near the area of 900 West Bishop Street in Santa Ana around 12:17 p.m.
Two 13-year-old boys were walking down the street after being involved in a prior confrontation with another child, according to Kimberly Edds, a spokesperson for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
“As they were running away from that confrontation, they were confronted by the 27-year-old who then shot them as they were running away,” Edds explained.
Arriving officers found one 13-year-old boy, identified as Daniel Vargas, lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound on his upper torso. The second 13-year-old was unharmed.
While Jimenez was shooting, a bullet struck a nearby home, hitting an unrelated 16-year-old boy who was inside his residence. That boy suffered a gunshot wound on his upper torso, as well.
Both injured teens were rushed to a local hospital for treatment. Jimenez had fled the scene before officers arrived.
On June 7, two days after the shooting, the 13-year-old boy died from his injuries at the hospital.
The surviving 16-year-old victim remains in critical but stable condition.
That same day, detectives located and arrested Jimenez on multiple charges including murder, attempted murder and shooting into an inhabited dwelling.
An arraignment hearing is scheduled for July 10 at Orange County Superior Court. Jimenez remains in custody without bail.
The relationship between the suspect and victims remains unclear, however, authorities note the incident is gang-related.
A GoFundMe to help Vargas’ family with funeral expenses can be found here.
The deadly shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call SAPD Homicide Detectives at 714-245-8390.
Anonymous tips can be provided to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org.
