Shots Fired at Officers at Site of Youth’s Killing

Shots were fired toward police Saturday as they investigated the slaying of a Vietnamese youth shot in the back during a birthday celebration at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley.

Lt. Ed McErlain, a police spokesman, said six to eight shots were fired near several officers while investigators gathered evidence and questioned witnesses in the killing of Canh Van Tran, 17, of Orange. No one was hit, but two suspects were arrested later.

“Officers heard gunshots and saw muzzle flashes coming from a car and what looked like someone’s arm outside the vehicle, “ McErlain said. “The firing seemed to be in their direction.”

Tran, a guest at the party, was fatally wounded about 10:30 p.m. in the popular recreational facility at 19699 Education Lane, which hosts bingo, dances and other social events.

Paramedics and police, summoned by a 911 emergency call, found Tran in a rented recreation room, where more than 100 people had been celebrating. He was pronounced dead at the scene after efforts to revive him failed.

A witness, who spoke on the condition that his name not be used, said five or six shots were fired from a late-model Nissan 300Z car as it away from the club.

He said someone outside the club returned fire as the car drove off.

“The 300Z was parked in there. It blew out through the gate, stopped and the shots were fired from the car,” the witness said. “I saw the flash from the gun.”

About two hours later, another round of gunfire came from a Chevrolet as it drove past the club and headed toward Yorktown Avenue, McErlain said. About 12 officers were at the scene trying to interview the estimated 30 people who might have witnessed the slaying. The officers did not shoot back.

With the help of a helicopter, police chased the Chevrolet to Argyle Drive and Kingswood Lane, where it was abandoned by the driver and a passenger. They were later arrested in a carport. McErlain said a pistol and several spent shell casings were seized from their vehicle.

Jose Munoz, 20, and Enrique Hernandez, also 20, both of Huntington Beach, were booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer. They are being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

McErlain said police are trying to determine if the shootings are related. Although a motive for Tran’s slaying has not been established, investigators say they suspect it might be related to Asian gang activity. It was not clear Saturday whether Tran was a gang member or an innocent bystander, McErlain said.

Late Saturday morning, investigators combed the club grounds and parking lot looking for spent bullets and other physical evidence as curious neighbors walked by.