Shots From Cars Kill Man, Wound Brother

Two brothers with known gang affiliations were attacked shortly after midnight Sunday in a drive-by shooting that left one dead and the other wounded, police said.

Aurelio Navarette, 20, and his 18-year-old brother Otoniel, both of Buena Park, were walking west along Artesia Boulevard across Fullerton Avenue about 12:08 a.m. Monday when two cars pulled up. The brothers were asked where they were from, said Betty Haney, Buena Park Police Department spokeswoman.

Witnesses told police that after a brief discussion, someone in one of the cars opened fire, Haney said. After numerous shots, the cars departed, she said.

Aurelio Navarette was pronounced dead on arrival at La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, Haney said. Otoniel Navarette was treated at Humana Hospital-West Anaheim for a bullet wound to the arm, and then released.

Police have no suspects, but said the incident may be gang-related because the brothers were known to have belonged to a gang.

Area residents said they heard five to 10 gunshots and saw several cars drive away. A man who lives near the corner of Fullerton Avenue and Artesia Boulevard, who asked not to be identified, said police arrived shortly after the shooting.

Drive-by shootings have become more common along Fullerton Avenue, residents said. In past months, the nighttime sound of guns popping has been increasing, said Steve Barton, 25, a machinist who has lived on Fullerton for the past year.

“I think it’s time I thought about moving,” he said.