Possible gang-related shooting in quiet Orange County community leads to multi-city pursuit, 4 arrests
A shooting that police believe was gang-related led to a multi-city pursuit and four suspects being arrested in a quaint Orange County community overnight.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched to the area of Calle Campana and Calle Canasta – a residential neighborhood located off Camino De Los Mares near the 5 Freeway in San Clemente – around 12:45 a.m. Sunday on a call surrounding possible gunshots.
“While patrol checking the area, deputies located shell casings and other evidence of a possible shooting,” OCSD said through their San Clemente Police Services Facebook page shortly before 8:40 a.m. Sunday. “Shortly after, deputies discovered the crime scene, [and] a vehicle possibly related [to it] was located in the City of Dana Point.”
Deputies there attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated; however, they eventually yielded in San Juan Capistrano.
“Two subjects quickly exited the vehicle and ran from deputies,” the sheriff’s department stated. “One of the subjects was seen running with a handgun in his possession … Both were caught and detained pending additional investigation.”
“After the foot pursuit concluded, a safety sweep of the area was conducted and two handguns as well as several rounds of ammunition were located,” OCSD added. “At the original crime scene in San Clemente, deputies conducted safety sweeps of the immediate and surrounding areas but were unable to locate any victims of this incident.”
An additional two suspects remained within the vehicle and were also detained, officials further elaborated. It was not clear whether any will be formally charged.
The investigation into the shooting, which is believed to be gang-related, is being handled by OCSD’s Gang Enforcement Team and the O.C. Crime Lab.
Officials noted that it does not appear there is any additional danger to the public in regard to the incident.