Man Paralyzed in Drive-By Shooting in San Clemente
Two men and a 14-year-old boy were shot in the back Thursday in what appeared to be a drive-by attack that left one victim paralyzed from the waist down, authorities said.
The shooting occurred just before 10:30 p.m. near the intersection of Calle Puente and West Canada, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Sgt. James Thomas. All of the victims are from San Clemente, he said.
Sergio Martinez, 21, was hit once in the back and once in the arm, leaving him paralyzed, police said. He was taken to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center, where he was reported in critical condition.
Javier Ortiz, 21, was in serious condition at Mission, and a 14-year-old boy was treated and released with a minor wound to the back of his shoulder.
The incident is believed to have been gang-related, Thomas said.
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