Fri. Nov 15th, 2024

On May 16, 2017, at approximately 7:12 p.m., Tustin Police Department Officers responded to a call of a suicidal subject.

Officers contacted the subject, 24-year-old Edwin Fuentes, who served in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and later struggled with PTSD, inside of a vehicle in the alley of an apartment complex located in the 16200 Block of Main St. in the City of Tustin, just south of the Santa Ana Zoo, according to the O.C. Register.

Edwin Fuentes, US Army Veteran

During the incident, Fuentes displayed a handgun and refused to comply with the officer’s orders. The incident became a standoff during which the subject fired rounds from his handgun while inside the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, an officer involved shooting occurred. Fuentes was struck by gunfire and officers on scene immediately rendered first aid. The subject was transported to a local hospital, according to the Tustin Police Department.

No officers or other civilians were injured during the incident. Per protocol, the Orange County District Attorney’s shooting team has responded to conduct their investigation.

Fuentes, a Tustin resident, battled PTSD since he returned from his tour of duty in 2013. He got help from the military, according to a family friend, but it was not enough.

Fuentes studied criminal law at Santa Ana College, according to his Facebook page.

author avatar
Art Pedroza Editor
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

By Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

5 thoughts on “A U.S. Army Veteran was shot and killed by the police near the Santa Ana Zoo last night”
  1. My nephew was asking for help no for killing him I think the police suppose to help people

    1. If he had PTSD and your family was allowing him to roam around with a gun what do you expect? Police don’t have time to mentally evaluate everyone who shoots a gun at or near them. They have split second decisions to make. Get real.

  2. Guys on wheelchairs are ballsy at a gas station in Garden Grove a guy with 2 of legs gone tried to get money from me and made a threat.

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