Fri. Aug 29th, 2025

The Seal Beach Police Department has arrested Angel Alcozar, 23, of Oxnard, in connection with the August 21st shooting on Marina Drive.

Detectives, working with regional law enforcement partners, identified Alcozar as the suspected shooter using witness statements, surveillance video, and investigative leads.

He was arrested on suspicion of:

  • PC 245(a)(2) – Assault with a firearm
  • PC 246 – Shooting at an occupied vehicle or dwelling

Alcozar was booked into Orange County Jail. The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are working to identify additional victims.

Chief of Police Michael Henderson stated:

“Thanks to the hard work of our officers, detectives, and law enforcement partners, a dangerous individual has been taken off the streets. While no one was physically injured, gun violence impacts our entire community.”

A man fired shots from a car at three people in Seal Beach on Thursday, August 21, 2025, and eluded the police officers who arrived at the scene.

Police officers responded to the 100 block of Marina Drive at approximately 3:56 p.m. Thursday to reports of shots fired, according to the Seal Beach Police.

Two of the people who had been shot at were later located by the police officers near the 300 block of Marina Drive, near Marina Park, and stated that they had been shot at by the unidentified suspect last seen traveling westbound on Marina Drive in a dark-colored vehicle, according to the police.

Further investigation led officers to a third victim, who was wearing a light-colored shirt, camouflage pants, and carrying a dark-colored backpack.

The third victim was seen on surveillance video walking in the 300 block of Marina Drive on the south side of the street moments before the suspect drove past him and fired three rounds toward his direction.

Angel Alcozar, arrested in connection with the August 21st shooting in Seal Beach, faces two serious charges under California law:


1. PC 245(a)(2) – Assault with a Firearm

This charge involves assaulting someone with a firearm, even if no physical injury occurred.

  • Classification: Wobbler (can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony)
  • Felony Penalties:
    • State prison: 2, 3, or 4 years
    • Fine: Up to $10,000
    • Strike offense: Counts under California’s Three Strikes Law
  • Misdemeanor Penalties:
    • County jail: 6 months to 1 year
  • Aggravating factors (e.g., use of a semiautomatic firearm or assault on a peace officer) can increase the sentence to up to 12 years.

2. PC 246 – Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle or Dwelling

This charge applies when someone willfully and maliciously fires a gun at an inhabited building, vehicle, or aircraft.

  • Classification: Felony
  • Penalties:
    • State prison: 3, 5, or 7 years
    • Strike offense: Also qualifies under the Three Strikes Law
    • Sentence enhancements may apply if the shooting was gang-related or caused injury

Additional Consequences

If convicted, Alcozar could also face:

  • Loss of firearm rights
  • Immigration consequences (if applicable)
  • Probation restrictions
  • Restitution to victims
  • Criminal protective orders

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.

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