LAKE FOREST : Woman Arrested in Ex-Boyfriend’s Death

A Lake Forest woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the fatal shooting of her ex-boyfriend last May, authorities said Wednesday.

Ricardo Ornelas, 40, of Fountain Valley was found dead from a single bullet wound to the head on the floor of the upstairs bedroom of Linda Nancy Phillips’ home.

After calling police to report the May 28 shooting, Phillips told investigators that Ornelas was a former boyfriend who had broken into her house. She said he had brought the gun with him and “made some statements that caused her concern,” Sheriff’s Lt. Dick Olson said.

Phillips told investigators that she got hold of the gun after Ornelas put it down momentarily. Police found it lying on the floor next to Ornelas’ body.

But no records or evidence were found to indicate that Ornelas had ever owned a handgun, Olson said.