Man Slain, Woman Wounded Outside Santa Ana Bar

A woman was shot to death and a male companion seriously wounded as they sat in a car parked outside a Santa Ana bar late Thursday night, police said.

Susan Arballo, 29, of Santa Ana was found dead in the car outside of the Kings Inn Tavern at 3515 W. 5th St. in Santa Ana shortly after 10:45 p.m., Lt. Jack Nelson said.

Toribio Valencia Macias, 29, of Lynwood was found next to her with a bullet wound in his spine, Nelson said.

Macias was listed in serious but stable condition at UCI Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Both victims had “multiple” gunshot wounds, according to Nelson, who said witnesses have identified the assailant as Marcos Posadas Conejo, 39, of Santa Ana.

The witnesses told police that they saw Conejo run from the scene with a gun, then drive off in a white station wagon, Nelson said. Conejo is still at large.

Nelson said the victims “were known to the suspect” but added that police have not established a motive for the shootings.

The bar’s owner, Manuel Martinez, speculated that “jealousy” may have played a role in the shooting.

All three were regulars at his bar, he said.

Conejo generally came to the bar “every second night” and would watch Arballo whenever she was there, he said.

Martinez said he saw the two “just talking” but never saw them drinking together.

Martinez said he had never seen Macias speak to Arballo until Thursday night. He recalled that they “said hello and just started drinking together.”

Martinez said he did not witness the shooting but ran out the front door after he heard gunshots and saw the car parked in his driveway with the victims.