1 Man Shot, 1 Arrested in Westminster Gang Melee

An 18-year-old gang member suffered slight gunshot wounds late Friday in a melee set off when members of four Westminster Street gangs fought over a stolen six-pack of beer, police said.

Another gang member, Angel Guzman Martinez, 25, of Westminster, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the 11 p.m. clash in the 7000 block of Wyoming Avenue, according to Westminster Police Sgt. Bill Lewis. Martinez was being held in Orange County Jail on Saturday.

The victim, Louie Gonzalez Barnal, also of Westminster, was struck by shotgun fire in the hand and buttocks. He was treated at Humana Hospital-Westminster and released. Police were searching for an unidentified gang member who is also believed to have been wounded but who has not sought hospital treatment.

Beer Stolen From Man

The confrontation, involving from 30 to 40 members of the rival West Trace and OC Posse gangs and also two other gangs, occurred after West Trace members stole a six-pack of beer from an unidentified man who had been riding a bicycle on Wyoming Avenue, Lewis said.

Posse members who had been in the neighborhood approached during the robbery, and the robbery victim fled. Martinez, a West Trace member, allegedly opened fire on Posse members, striking Barnal, according to Lewis. Members of two other street gangs also gathered during the clash, and their involvement is being investigated, he said.

“We had four gangs there and probably 40 people,” Lewis said. “It was a real mess.”

Police seized a shotgun allegedly used by Martinez, but no other weapons were recovered.

Police were alerted by a witness after shots had been fired. The clash occurred in a neighborhood of single-family homes and small apartment buildings.