Two suspects in a Costa Mesa shooting arrested

COSTA MESA, Calif. (June 15, 2024) — The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) yesterday arrested two men for attempted murder after a shooting that had occurred earlier that same day.

On Friday, June 14, 2024, at approximately 12:25 a.m., officers responded to gunshots heard in the 1700 block of Placentia Avenue, where they located evidence of a shooting but no victims or witnesses. Less than an hour later, CMPD was notified by a nearby hospital that a male patient was seeking emergency medical treatment for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

The initial investigation connected this shooting to the memorial on Placentia Avenue for the deceased victim from the June 11 case.

While the circumstances are still under investigation, detectives and Gang investigators were able to identify two suspects: Eric Garcilazo, 19, and Elmer Suarez-Morales, 20, both of Costa Mesa.

In the afternoon, officers located Suarez-Morales, who was pulled over in a vehicle and arrested without incident.

Around 4:30 p.m., officers located Garcilazo in the 2100 block of Pomona Avenue. The suspect evaded officers and fled. This resulted in a highly-visible perimeter involving SWAT, the drone team, and the K9 Unit, and created traffic delays on Pomona Avenue between Victoria Street and Wilson Street. About a half hour later, officers found Garcilazo and arrested him.

CMPD thanks the community for their patience while this perimeter was active for less than an hour. Both suspects were booked into the Costa Mesa Jail for attempted murder.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this June 14 incident is asked to please contact Gang Investigations Sergeant Matt Selinske at 714-754-5093.