Gang Member Arrested in Fatal Shooting

Police arrested a 20-year-old man Tuesday on suspicion of killing one youth and wounding another in a dispute between rival gangs in Buena Park.

Buena Park Police Lt. Richard Hafdahl said Amado Erick Ortega was arrested early Tuesday after investigators interviewed several witnesses about the Monday night shooting.

Ortega was booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder, and bail was set at $250,000.

Hafdahl said the dead youth, a 17-year-old who was not identified, and a 16-year-old companion, both members of Los Coyotes gang, went to Ortega’s home in the 6500 block of Thelma Avenue at 8:15 p.m.

Following an argument in the driveway of the residence, the 17-year-old was shot once in the back, Hafdahl said. Paramedics took him to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, where he died 30 minutes later.

The 16-year-old, also not identified, was shot once in the arm. He was taken to the same hospital and released after treatment, the police spokesman said.

Hafdahl said that Ortega is a member of East Side Buena Park gang and that the confrontation Monday night centered on Ortega’s sister’s involvement with a Los Coyotes member.

He said that police know about the rival gangs and that sporadic shootings have occurred in the neighborhood.

After Monday night’s shooting, some residents barricaded themselves indoors.

“It was really tense in the neighborhood for about three or four hours after the shooting,” Hafdahl said.

Buena Park patrol officers will increase surveillance of the neighborhood in an effort to prevent any escalation of violence between the two gangs.

“We fear that may happen, and we are preparing for that,” Hafdahl said.