Woman Hurt in Drive-By Shooting

Passengers in two cars opened fire on four people talking outside a Santa Ana house early Friday, wounding an 18-year-old woman in the leg. Police said the attack appears to be gang-related.

Lecia Harbin of Anaheim was reported in stable condition Friday at Coastal Communities Hospital.

Santa Ana police late Friday were still looking for suspects in the shooting, which occurred about 1 a.m. in the 2000 block of South Rene Drive.

Officer Jim Donnelly, one of those responding to the call, said he found one of the vehicles reportedly involved--a stolen silver Chevrolet Camaro--unoccupied in front of a house on West Highland Street in what is considered “a heavily populated gang area,” he said. Donnelly then requested backup assistance.

The car appeared to have been parked in a hurry, Donnelly said, as it was away from the curb and blocking a driveway. The engine was still warm, he said, and he could hear voices inside the house.

“A next-door neighbor told me there were at least 12 (people) in the house,” Donnelly said.

Back Yards Searched

Officer Bill Letizio, who answered Donnelly’s call, and a police dog searched the back yards of homes on Highland and Wisteria Place, a parallel street.

Seven people were taken into custody for resisting arrest and related charges. Four of them received minor dog bites and were treated at hospitals and released, Donnelly said.

Five people were arrested on narcotics and weapons charges; the remaining two were released.

But no one was arrested in connection with the shooting, Lt. Robert Chavez said.

Police found a spent cartridge in the car and are continuing to investigate. The other car reportedly involved in the shooting is a red Nissan, police said.