Garden Grove man gets 12 years in prison for shooting up Fashion Island

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12HF3657: April 18, 2014

MAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FIRING SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPON AT FASHION ISLAND

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today and sentenced to 12 years in state prison for discharging his gun at Fashion Island. Mark Sariana Gurrola, 42, Garden Grove, pleaded guilty to a court offer to 54 felony counts of shooting at an occupied building and two felony counts of aggravated assault with sentencing enhancements for the use of a firearm. The People objected to the sentence, advocating for a lengthier state prison term.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2012, Gurrola drove his white Honda Civic and parked in the Macy’s parking lot at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. He exited his vehicle armed with a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and six magazines. He raised his firearm and discharged 54 rounds of ammunition in the direction of the Macy’s building. As a result of the shooting, Gurrola caused a mother and her 4-year-old daughter to suffer injuries from being pushed by panicked shoppers, who were running for cover. None of the bullets struck the building.

The defendant dropped his weapon and surrendered to Newport Beach police officers. At the time of Gurrola’s arrest, police recovered ammunition for different weapons including .44 caliber, .380 caliber, and .38 caliber, and no other weapons.

The Newport Beach Police Department investigated the case.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman of the Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486