Woman arrested in attempted murder

Laguna Beach police arrested a woman on suspicion of attempted murder after she fired a gun at a man she was dating, police said Tuesday.

Cristina Marie Higuera, 47, of Laguna Beach faces six felony counts including attempted homicide, assault with a firearm, grossly negligent discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of felony drug possession, and making criminal threats, according to authorities.

At 3:17 p.m. May 26, officers responded to a report of a couple arguing in an alley between Wave and Beverly streets, Laguna Beach police Sgt. Louise Callus said.

A witness told police that the woman appeared to be pointing a revolver at the man’s chest, Callus said.

Officers approached the area and heard a man and woman shouting, as if in a heated argument, and found them in an upper apartment in the 200 block of Wave Street, Callus said.

During questioning, police were told that the woman had pointed the gun at the man, a 51-year-old Laguna Beach resident, and pulled the trigger three or four times while outside, but apparently the gun wasn’t loaded.

Higuera and the man were dating, Callus said.

Police said the two then went into the apartment, where, unbeknownst to the man, Higuera had loaded the gun, Callus said. A bullet missed the man and hit the ceiling, Callus said.

Higuera was being held at Orange County Jail in lieu of $1-million bail, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. Her arraignment is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 20 at the Central Jail Court in Santa Ana.