SANTA ANA : Man Killed During Attempted Robbery

A Santa Ana man was shot to death and his two friends pistol-whipped by two men who demanded money from them Tuesday night, police said.

Fernando Cervantes Zuniga, 21, died at the scene after being shot in the head during an attempted robbery in the 400 block of Garnsey Street, police spokeswoman Maureen Haacker said.

William Osorio and Jorge Luna were both treated for cuts and bruises to the head at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana and later released.

The three men were outside of a courtyard home relaxing after work when two would-be robbers, described as in their mid-20s, approached them and demanded money.

Possibly because of language barriers, the three men were slow in responding to the robbers’ demands so they were pummeled on the head by the man with the revolver and the gun discharged, striking Zuniga in the head, Haacker said.

Both of the attackers ran from the area without any money, police officials said.

The victims, recounting the incident to police, said they had never seen their assailants before.

One neighbor, Juan Sotelo, said he heard a shot but didn’t know what was occurring.

Another neighbor, Rafael Aguirre, said the men had moved into the courtyard last April and were decent working men.

Luis Gonzalez said he has noticed many “ cholos “--gang members--in the area and hears gunshots at night.

Police officials said they had not identified any suspects and they do not believe the murder was gang-related.