2 Arrested After Man Is Shot Twice in Newport

One man was in critical condition Wednesday after being shot twice in the head and two men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Newport Beach police said.

Theodore E. Sparling, 30, of Newport Beach was shot in the head after an argument with his girlfriend’s husband, police said.

Sparling and William Carson Evans, 30, of La Mirada were involved in a heated argument in an alley behind Sparling’s apartment between 33rd and 34th streets when Sparling was shot twice with a .38-caliber revolver, police said. The shooting occurred just after 10:15 p.m Tuesday.

Evans’ wife and her cousin, Patrick Ernest Lara, 22, of Tustin, were present and overheard the argument, police said.

After the shooting, both Lara and William Evans left in a car but were caught by police near the intersection Newport Boulevard and 17th Street. A .38-caliber pistol was recovered from the vehicle, police said.

When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting, they found Sparling in the alley lying unconscious and not breathing. They administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation while waiting for paramedics.

Sparling was taken to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, where he was reported in critical condition, police said.

Evans and Lara were taken to Newport Beach City Jail.

Evans was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said. Lara was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to attempted murder. Bail for both was set at $250,000.