Thursday night was a hot one for the SAPD. There were two gang-related fatalities that kept them very busy.
In the first incident, Kevin Sotelo, 24 was riding a bike at the 4000 block of West Hazard Ave., when he was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting. Multiple shots were directed at the unfortunate bicyclist from a vehicle, according to the SAPD.
SAPD police officers responded to the scene of the shooting at approximately 8:38 p.m. Police officers found the victim, Sotelo, at the intersection of Hazard and Morse suffering from several gunshot wounds. Orange County Fire Authority Medics pronounced Sotelo deceased at the scene.
The initial police investigation revealed that Sotelo was riding his bike at the intersection of Hazard and Morse when a vehicle containing multiple suspects stopped and fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene.
The case has been assigned to the SAPD Homicide Unit – anyone with information about this case is asked to contact detectives at 714-245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
But the rough night was not over. The SAPD was called to another shooting scene at around 9:40 p.m., at a home located at 425 S. Birch St. There was a report of multiple shots fired.
In that incident, David Adam Bernal, 25, was shot while he was walking with a bicycle in the alley behind the home at the 400 block of South Birch Street.
Reportedly two people got into a confrontation with Bernal before they shot him and took off, according to the SAPD.
SAPD police officers responded to the scene at approximately 9:39 p.m. When police officers arrived, they found the victim, Bernal, suffering from several gunshot wounds. Orange County Fire Authority Medics pronounced Bernal deceased at the scene.
The initial police investigation has revealed there was an argument between the victim and one or two males in the alley. The suspect(s) then began to punch the victim and, subsequently, one of the suspects shot Bernal multiple times. The suspects fled the shooting scene on foot.
This case has been assigned to the SAPD Homicide Unit – anyone with information about this case is asked to contact detectives at 714-245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
The SAPD does not believe that the two shootings are related as they occurred in different areas, on opposite ends of the city.
The last fatal gang-related shooting occurred in Santa Ana on March 16. So far this has been the most violent year in Santa Ana in a very long time.
The shooting at West Hazard Ave. occurred a block from Hazard Elementary School in Santa Ana’s Ward 3, which is represented by Santa Ana Councilwoman Angie Amezcua.
The shooting at S. Birch St. occurred near Santa Ana High School, in Santa Ana’s Ward 2, which is represented by Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez.
The shooting thet happend on march16 two men and the women saying its gang related or if the target was the two men or the women was the target well that 25 yr old women was my daughter vanessa e rodriguez she was not the target or gang she inacint victim who died the one man was the gang member who would leave he told couldnt stay anymore was a loper member not my daughter please she not in gang connection he walk out free life wile i have to burie my daughter who was happy funny careing women who always help people out and being a big hearted person was full of life see she well loved many freinds family everywere thus shouldnt of happend to her so come film my daughter buriel march 30 5-8 pm vewing and march 31 10am buriel at fairhaven in santa ana she was my baby thanks to all freinds family facebook helping donations to put her at rest thats how much my daughter was loved her mother
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have a daughter the same age. I can’t imagine what you are going through.
When the police said that this was gang related what they likely meant was that the attackers were gang members. Thank you for clarifying that your precious daughter was an innocent victim of this city’s dreadful gang war. May she rest in peace. And may her killers be brought to justice and made to pay what they did. Please send us the link to your daughter’s online fund that is helping to pay for her funeral and I will be happy to promote it. My email is artpedroza@gmail.com.
My Condolences To You. I’m A Mother Of 4 AND I Don’t Know How I Would TAKE This!! My Heart Goes Out To You And Her Loved Ones.. May U Also find Peace And Comfort.. DON’T MIND THE NEGATIVE OF OTHERS ONLY U KNOW HOW IT WENT AND HOW IT GOES DON’T NEED TO EXPLAIN TO THE BULL PEOPLE TALK BECAUSE THEY HAVE A MOUTH.. GOD BLESS..
I got out of there just in time, I lived where the second shooting occurred for a while, there were shootings constantly but not any fatal victims, I’ve since moved from this hell hole we called santa ana, and i can honestly say I am not going to miss this at all. R.I. P. To this person and condolences to the family, one can only hope your friends can learn from your mistakes and get out of the gang life, I really hope at least one of them does then this loss won’t be in vain.
Santa Ana is not a hell hole its got its bad areas like everywhere else. This city is beautiful and many positive things going for it that not many come close too. But we also have evil members of society that are more evil then other places. Good riddens to you too, you won’t be missed either
Now that they’ve released the names of the victims i know who the guy was in the second shooting, he used to walk around at all hours of the night hollering some kind of gang calling, it used to annoy everyone trying to get some sleep , but now that i can put a face to this tragedy, i can say I’m deeply sorry and extend my condolences to his mother and grandmother.
Not a gang call your clearly mistaken
That was my cousin. He had so much to live for. He had time to be better. I believe the same about the other person. May they rest in peace.
So sad my condolences to you and your family. I didnt know your family member, but i had seen him many times in that area since my family has been living in heninger sq. for over 30 years. He seemed like a nice fellow, may he rip and his soul be with our Father Almighty.