Tustin Police Seek Man, 23, in Shooting

Police were searching Saturday for a Mexican national who is suspected in the shooting death of a 31-year-old Tustin resident.

Police said the suspect, Lamberto Cortez, 23, was identified in a 911 call to police after Leonardo Morales Malpica was shot once in the head about 2 p.m. Friday in his apartment in the 15000 block of Pasadena Avenue. A handgun was found at the scene.

Tustin Police Lt. Frank Semelsberger said Cortez was seen fleeing the scene on a bicycle shortly after the shooting. The bicycle was found by police near Cortez’s residence in the 1300 block of El Camino Real.

Cortez, who is employed at an Irvine restaurant, is believed to have been acquainted with Malpica. Semelsberger said police are investigating the possibility that the shooting may have been accidental.

Police said Cortez’s hometown in Mexico was not known, but he is believed to have been in the United States for about two years.

Tustin police have alerted the U.S. Border Patrol that Cortez may attempt to flee the country, Semelsberger said.

Cortez is described as being 6 feet tall and weighing about 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing black pants and a blue shirt.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the suspect to call Tustin police headquarters at (714) 544-5424.