[UPDATED with New Victim:] Sergio Maldonado and Arnie Zavala, OC Homicides Nos. 16 and 17: Shot Outside Taqueria

Categories: 2011 Homicides
taqueria-zamora-200.jpg
UPDATE, MAY 18, 9:45 A.M.: Santa Ana police have identified the man who was fatally shot in the parking lot of Taqueria Zamora Sunday night as Sergio Maldonado, 32, of Santa Ana.

And cops believe Arnie Zavala, a 20-year-old Santa Ana man who died in a San Diego hospital Monday night, was also shot outside the South Main Street restaurant the night before.

Both men are suspected of being gang rivals involved in a clash inside and outside Taqueria Zamora.

An argument between members of two gangs broke out inside the restaurant before spilling outside, according to police, who say 'bangers pulled out handguns and started firing at one another.

The response to a call of shots fired sent officers to the taqueria at 3121 S. Main St., where they found Maldonado. He later died at a local hospital.

But police investigators determined at the scene that a second man had been shot. The mystery was solved when they got a call from the San Diego hospital that treated Zavala. Police believe he was making a run for a hospital in Mexico. He obviously came up short.

While saying Maldonado and Zavala belonged to different gangs, police were unsure if they shot one another. A detail like that could be revealed through the department's gang homicide reward program, which is offering up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of murder suspects. Call 714.245.8648 if you like cash for what you know about this.

ORIGINAL POST, MAY 16, 10:32 A.M.: Police received a call of gunfire around 8 p.m. in the 3100 block of South Main Street in Santa Ana.

Cops and paramedics arrived to find a man suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot of Taqueria Zamora, 3121 S. Main St.

The man was rushed to a local hospital, where he died from his wounds.

Details are sketchy. The shooting stemmed from some kind of fight in the parking lot. The man's age and identity have not yet been released by police. Neither have no details on a suspect or suspects.

If you saw anything, call Santa Ana police at 714.245.8648.

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Privacy Policy

Most Popular Stories

Sign up for free stuff, news info & more!

Tools

General

Links

Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places

    Voice Places

    Discover restaurants, nightlife, travel, shopping...

  • VOICE Daily Deals

    VOICE Daily Deals

    Get 50 to 90% off every day on restaurants, movies, massages...

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    More than 10,000 of the BEST things to eat, drink, and experience

  • My Voice Nation

    My Voice Nation

    Join the Village Voice community and get exclusive deals and info

  • Happy Hour

    Happy Hour

    Your local Happy Hour guide at your fingertips

or

Log in or Sign up

Social Connect:

Use your favorite account to access My Voice Nation.


Use your My Voice Nation account to log in:





Forgot password?
or

Sign Up or Log in

Social Connect:

Sign up for My Voice Nation with your preferred network.


Sign up for a My Voice Nation account:



Privacy policy