La Habra : 6 Suspects in Shooting Give Up After Standoff

A 5-hour standoff between La Habra police and suspected gang members ended peacefully early Sunday with the arrest of two men and four juveniles who were allegedly involved in the shooting Saturday night.

The victim, Michael Galindo, 18, of La Habra, was listed in critical but stable condition at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier. La Habra Police Sgt. Perry Miller said Galindo was shot in the chest.

The incident began shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday when a fistfight broke out at the corner of 4th Street and Monte Vista Avenue between suspected gang members, Miller said, then escalated into an exchange of gunfire involving 10-12 males.

About 10 shots were fired, he said.

Several of those involved in the shooting then fled to the home of Armando Jimenez, 19, in the 700 block of W. 4th Street, Miller said. La Habra and Sheriff’s Department SWAT team members surrounded the residence. No other houses in the neighborhood were evacuated, he said.

Shortly after midnight Sunday, the suspects surrendered, Miller said.

Arrested on suspicion of attempted murder were Jimenez and Paul Morales, 19, also of La Habra. Four juveniles--whose names were not released because of their ages--were also arrested. Three were released into the custody of their parents, and the fourth was held at Orange County Juvenile Hall, Miller said.

The victim was not cooperative with police regarding what caused the fight and tried to injure one of the paramedics who came to his aid at the scene, Miller said.