A man was stabbed in the drive-thru lane of the Pollo Campero restaurant, located at 2320 S. Bristol St., in Santa Ana on Saturday, Dec. 6. He later died at a hospital, according to the SAPD.
Police officers responded to the Pollo Campero restaurant at about 4:30 p.m. after a man called 911 after he he saw a man who was lying down in the drive-thru.
The SAPD police investigators belive that the stabbing occurred in the drive-thru lane, but they still do not know what led up to the stabbing or what the motive may have been.
Detectives are seeking possible witnesses and surveillance videos as they continue to investigate the incidetn.
The victim was a Santa Ana resident, but the SAPD has yet to identify him, pending notification of his relatives.
Authorities still had no suspect information as of Sunday morning.
Under California law, the penalties for a fatal stabbing depend on the circumstances and intent. Here are the possible charges and punishments:
- First-Degree Murder
- Applies if the killing was willful, deliberate, and premeditated, or occurred during certain felonies (felony murder rule).
- Penalty: 25 years to life in state prison, and in special circumstances (e.g., multiple victims, killing for financial gain), life without parole or the death penalty (though California currently has a moratorium on executions).
- Second-Degree Murder
- Applies if the killing was intentional but not premeditated, or showed reckless disregard for human life.
- Penalty: 15 years to life in state prison; can increase to 25 years to life if the victim was a peace officer or if certain aggravating factors apply.
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Applies if the killing happened in the heat of passion or during a sudden quarrel without malice aforethought.
- Penalty: 3 to 11 years in state prison.
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- Applies if the death resulted from criminal negligence or during a non-violent crime.
- Penalty: 2 to 4 years in state prison.
- Sentence Enhancements
- Use of a deadly weapon, prior convictions, or gang involvement can add years to the sentence.
- Murder is classified as a violent felony under California’s Three Strikes Law, which can lead to longer sentences for repeat offenders.