Santa Ana gangbanger heading to prison for 10 years after getting shot by the police

Armando Antunez, a 27-year old Santa Ana man on probation, was headed for trial but at the last minute he accepted a plea deal instead and was immediately sent to prison for 10 years after he ran away from the police, which led to a police shooting, according to the O.C. Register.

Antunez pleaded guilty to a count of possession of a firearm by a probationer, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a firearm in school zones and participating in gang activity, all felonies. He also admitted sentencing enhancements for gang activity.

Antunez already had a previous strike conviction for felonies including having a concealed, loaded, unregistered gun in a vehicle and street terrorism. He pleaded guilty to those charges on Dec. 11. He was then sentenced to 380 days in jail and placed on three years probation in that plea deal.

SAPD police officers tried to stop Antunez, who was driving with a friend and two gangbangers, on March 1, 2014. Of course Antunez sped off instead, according to the OCDA.

The police pursuit did not last long. When it ended the police found a loaded, unregistered gun in the vehicle.

A year or so later, on August 2, 2015, at about 6 p.m., Antunez was shot. He was injured in his upper body and hand but the injuries were not deemed to be life-threatening, according to the SAPD.

The police had attempted to speak to Antunez and other gangbangers, in a neighborhood known for gang activity, but the suspects ran away.

The gang in question has been targeted by an injunction that the County of Orange has been defending in civil court for several years.