The SAPD arrested three suspected gangbangers after a fatal vehicle-to-vehicle shooting near the South Coast Plaza

SAPD Detectives Investigating a Homicide in the 1600 Block of W. MacArthur Boulevard – 3 Suspects Have Been Arrested

Suspect #1 – Alfredo Ivan Pulido (22), Santa Ana
Suspect #2 – Leonel Diaz (21), Santa Ana
Suspect #3 – Jason Garcia (21), Santa Ana

On Saturday, February 6, 2021, at 9:12 p.m., Santa Ana Police officers responded to a shooting at the intersection of Bear Street/Macarthur Boulevard. Officers located a vehicle struck by gunfire, occupied by a male and female at 1600 W. MacArthur Boulevard. The male adult driver was unresponsive with apparent gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Officers rendered medical aid until the arrival of Orange County Fire Authority. The male was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The female adult passenger was not injured.

During the preliminary investigation, officers interviewed a witness who reported he was traveling eastbound on MacArthur Boulevard when he observed a green SUV accelerate and drive next to the gray BMW. He then heard three to five gunshots and observed the green vehicle drive southbound on Bear Street from MacArthur Boulevard. The gray BMW then came to a stop at 1600 W. MacArthur Boulevard, facing eastbound. An additional witness reported hearing five gunshots and seeing a green SUV speed away southbound on Bear Street from MacArthur Boulevard.

Responding patrol officers observed a green Chevy Trailblazer traveling northbound on Harbor Boulevard from Warner Ave. They initiated a traffic stop and detained three male adult subjects. Both witnesses positively identified the green Chevy Trailblazer as the same vehicle seen fleeing the scene of the shooting. All three occupants were transported to the Santa Ana Police Department for further investigation. SAPD Homicide Section detectives responded and assumed the investigation.

Homicide detectives interviewed all three individuals. With the concurrence from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, SAPD Homicide detectives booked all three individuals for CPC 187- Murder, CPC 245(a)(2), Assault with Firearm on Person, and additional gang related charges.

The motive for the shooting appears to be gang related. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section detectives at (714) 245-8390, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Art Pedroza Editor

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.

See Full Bio