SANTA ANA : Police Blame Gang in 18-Year-Old’s Death
An 18-year-old man was shot to death by suspected gang members in a business parking lot after he had been shopping with friends, police said Thursday.
Francisco Nava of Santa Ana was leaving the Swap Mall in the 1200 block of South Bristol Street with about three friends around 7 p.m. Wednesday when he was confronted by suspected gang members, Police Sgt. Bob Clark said.
“They were approached by a group of about six guys and a verbal confrontation ensued, which led to the shooting,” Clark said.
Nava and his friends tried to escape after one of the attackers drew a small handgun, Clark said. Three shots were fired, one of which hit Nava in the back of the head, Clark said. No one else was injured.
Nava was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he later died. Investigators believe Nava was a gang member and the assailants were from a rival street gang, Clark said.
No arrests have been made, and police were questioning some witnesses, he added.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
