Two suspects in Costa Mesa shooting arrested – New Santa Ana

COSTA MESA, Calif. (June 15, 2024) — The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) arrested two men yesterday for attempted murder following a shooting earlier the same day.

On Friday, June 14, 2024, at approximately 12:25 a.m., officers responded to gunshots heard in the 1700 block of Placentia Avenue, where they found evidence of a shooting but no victims or witnesses. Less than an hour later, CMPD was notified by a nearby hospital that a male patient was seeking emergency medical attention for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

The initial investigation connected this shooting to the Placentia Avenue memorial dedicated to the deceased victim of the June 11 shooting.

While the circumstances remain under investigation, detectives and Gang investigators were able to identify two suspects: Eric Garcilazo19 years old, and Elmer Suarez-Morales20 years old, both from Costa Mesa.

In the afternoon, officers located Suarez-Morales, who was stopped in a vehicle and arrested without incident.

Around 4:30 p.m., officers located Garcilazo in the 2100 block of Pomona Avenue. The suspect escaped the police and fled. This resulted in the creation of a highly visible perimeter involving the SWAT, drone team and K9 unit, and created traffic delays on Pomona Avenue between Victoria Street and Wilson Street. About half an hour later, officers found Garcilazo and arrested him.

CMPD thanks the community for their patience while this perimeter was active for less than an hour. Both suspects were booked into the Costa Mesa Jail on charges of attempted murder.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this June 14 incident is asked to contact Gang Investigations Sergeant Matt Selinske at 714-754-5093.

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