WESTMINSTER : Gang Ties Suspected in Fatal Shootout

A man was shot and killed early Sunday in an exchange of gunfire in what may have been a gang-related incident, police said.

The name of the victim has not been released, but another man was arrested on an outstanding warrant when he stopped a Huntington Beach police officer while seeking help for his fatally wounded friend, Westminster Police Lt. Mike Schliskey said.

Shortly after midnight, Westminster police received a report of shots fired in the 7000 block of Natal Drive, east of Golden West Street. One witness reported seeing a red BMWspeeding from the scene, and arriving officers found a pool of blood, according to police.

It appears the victim was shot as he sat in his car with a friend, Ricky Gonzales, 22, of Westminster.

“Another carload of suspected gang members fired three or four shots at the (victim) while he was stopped,” Schliskey said. “He returned fire, but we don’t know whether any suspects were hit.”

Gonzales then took the wheel and drove into Huntington Beach searching for a hospital, Schliskey said.

He flagged a Huntington Beach police officer, who notified paramedics. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, but his name is not being released until the next of kin can be notified, Schliskey said.

Authorities questioned Gonzales about the shooting and took him into custody after discovering he was wanted on an outstanding spousal abuse warrant.