An 18-year-old suspect was arrested after a shooting killed a 13-year-old boy and left another teen hospitalized in Santa Ana.
On June 5, 2024, Santa Ana police responded to a shooting near 900 W. Bishop Street. Two 13-year-old boys had been involved in a confrontation with another teen, police said.
After the confrontation, the two 13-year-olds began running towards an apartment building on nearby Bishop Street when, minutes later, a suspect drove up to the boys, stopped in the street and opened fire.
Daniel Vargas, 13, was struck in the head by gunfire. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died from his injuries two days later.
A 16-year-old boy who was not involved in the confrontation had looked out his kitchen window during the shooting and was also shot in the head, police said. He was transported to a local hospital and survived the shooting.
The third victim, a 13-year-old boy who was with Vargas, was uninjured. The shooter fled the scene before police arrived.
Later that day, detectives identified Raymond Mario Jimenez, 27, as a suspect in Vargas’ death. He was arrested and later charged with murder, attempted murder and shooting into an inhabited dwelling. He was also charged with six felony enhancements for shooting a firearm and causing great bodily injury or death.
On May 13, police confirmed they had arrested a second suspect in the case, Michael Richard Jimenez, 18, of Santa Ana.
With help from the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, detectives located the teen suspect in Riverside back on April 24. He was arrested for attempted murder. His booking photo was not released.
The relationship between the suspects and the victims remains unclear, however, authorities noted the incident is gang-related. The case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call SAPD’s Homicide Section at 714-245-8390. Anonymous tips can be provided to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org.
