ANAHEIM, Calif. (March 8, 2025) – Police detectives have arrested a murder suspect after a woman was shot and killed in her vehicle, according to the Anaheim Police Department.
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, around 8:00 p.m., Anaheim Police officers and Anaheim Fire & Rescue responded to the 700 block of N. Vine St regarding a vehicle collision. Officers also simultaneously responded to reports of gunshots that were heard near Vine St. and Cypress St., about one-half mile from the vehicle collision.
When emergency personnel arrived at the collision scene, they discovered a female victim, with at least one gunshot wound, deceased inside the vehicle. The additional officers who responded to the second scene, where reports of gunshots were heard, located evidence of a shooting that had just occurred. The initial investigations showed the two incidents were related. It is believed the victim drove away from the shooting scene and crashed into a parked car after she was shot. The victim was identified as Charlene Zuazo, a 48-year-old Anaheim resident.
Homicide detectives responded to the scene and immediately began their investigation. The detectives, along with Gang Unit and Crime Task Force investigators, worked tirelessly through the week to identify and locate the primary suspect.
On Friday, March 7, 2025, detectives arrested 18-year-old Jerry Gutierrez, a resident of Cudahy. He was taken into custody without incident. Mr. Gutierrez was booked at the Anaheim Police Department for murder, and the case will be presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Detectives are not disclosing any additional details at this time because the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
Zuazo’s obituary is available here. Her stepdaughter has set up a GoFundMe page here.
