Three transients arrested and charged with killing a man at Santiago Park

On Saturday, March 21, 2020, Santa Ana PD responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon at the entrance to Santiago Park at 2535 N. Main Street. Multiple suspects beat and stabbed the victim, Cesar Gamaliel Gonzalez (39), a transient residing in the City of Santa Ana, to death. Patrol Officers and Homicide Detectives collaborated through the night and into Sunday, March 22, 2020. The investigation resulted in the identification and arrest of three suspects:

1. Daniel Ruben Gallegos (M/H, 47 – Santa Ana transient)
2. Gustavo Nunez, Jr. (M/H, 32 – Santa Ana transient)
3. Lisa Marie Herrera (F/H, 41 – Santa Ana transient)

On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges:

1. Daniel Ruben Gallegos
– CPC 187(a) – Murder
– CPC 12022(b)(1) – Person use of a weapon (knife)

2. Gustavo Nunez, Jr.
– CPC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon

3. Lisa Marie Herrera
– CPC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon

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