Santa Ana Police Detectives are investigating a shooting that killed one and injured another.
On Friday, December 19, 2025, at approximately 11:23 p.m., police officers responded to a report of a man stating he had been shot in a residential neighborhood in the area of 500 S. Marine Street, according to the SAPD.
Upon arrival, officers located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Orange County Fire Authority responded and pronounced one victim, identified as Nathan Isaiah Saldana (20) of Santa Ana, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second victim, a 21-year-old male from Santa Ana who was the reporting party, was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
At this time, the motive for the shooting appears to be gang-related and stemmed from an altercation following a party in the area. Homicide Detectives are working to identify and locate additional witnesses who may have information related to the homicide.
Anyone with information is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
n California, suspects involved in a fatal, gang-related shooting face severe criminal penalties including life imprisonment or the death penalty. Based on the details of the December 19, 2025 incident, the suspects could face the following charges and enhancements:
Primary Criminal Charges
- Murder (Penal Code 187):
- First-Degree: If the shooting was premeditated, the penalty is 25 years to life in state prison.
- Capital Murder: Because the motive appears gang-related, it may be classified as “murder with special circumstances.” This carries a penalty of life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) or the death penalty.
- Attempted Murder (Penal Code 664/187): For the 21-year-old surviving victim, suspects face:
- First-Degree: Life with the possibility of parole.
- Second-Degree: 5, 7, or 9 years in state prison.
Sentencing Enhancements
Suspects face additional, mandatory consecutive prison time if specific factors are proven:
- Gang Enhancement (PC 186.22): Committing a violent felony to benefit a criminal street gang can add 15 years to life to the underlying sentence.
- Firearm Enhancements (“10-20-Life”):
- 10 years for using a firearm.
- 20 years for intentionally discharging a firearm.
- 25 years to life for causing great bodily injury or death with a firearm.
- Great Bodily Injury (GBI): Inflicting significant injury on the surviving victim can add up to 6 years.
Other Consequences
- Three Strikes Law: Both murder and attempted murder are considered “violent felonies,” counting as a strike on a criminal record. A third strike results in a mandatory 25 years to life.
- Fines and Restitution: Suspects can be fined up to $10,000 and ordered to pay full restitution to the victims’ families for medical and funeral expenses.