Costa Mesa police handle fatal stabbing case believed to be gang-related

Costa Mesa police are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred Tuesday evening near a Placentia Avenue business, an incident believed to be part of a larger gang-related attack that included an assault on a second victim.

Officers responding to a call about a possible assault with a deadly weapon in the 1700 block of Placentia Avenue shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday arrived on scene to find a 22-year-old man with multiple stab wounds lying on the ground, according to a Costa. Statement from the Mesa Police Department released Wednesday.

Costa Mesa Fire Battalion Chief Chris Coates said a crew arrived and attempted to save the life of the victim, an adult male, but was unsuccessful. The man, whose identity was not released by police Wednesday, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police learned shortly after that a second victim, described as a 19-year-old man, had been attacked minutes before the stabbing near the intersection of Placentia Avenue and Shalimar Drive, according to the release. . He was reportedly slightly injured and was taken to a nearby hospital by family members.

Both victims are described as Latino. Investigators believe the same suspects were involved in both incidents and may be gang members.

Social media posts from local residents who witnessed the aftermath of Tuesday's incident showed that investigators taped off large areas surrounding a Mini Mart & Liquor store at 1746 Placenta Ave. and a laundromat next door.

Officers appeared to be monitoring the scene inside that area, which included an adjacent apartment complex, until early Wednesday morning.

CMPD reported Wednesday afternoon that no arrests had yet been made and information about the suspects or where they might be was not being made public.

Anyone who may have information about the incidents is asked to contact Det. Ramón Hernández at (714) 754-5097.