Man Arrested After Shooting Leaves One Dead, Two Hurt

SANTA ANA — Police arrested a suspected gang member Sunday after a confrontation at a fast-food establishment that led to the shooting death of one man and minor injuries to two others, police said.

Jason Ledesma, 18, of Santa Ana was arrested at his home without incident around 10:15 a.m. and was being held in connection with the shooting of Juan Maradiga, 22, of Westminster, said Sgt. Steve Despenas.

The incident occurred shortly before 1 a.m., when a car in which Ledesma allegedly was riding drove up to a group of 30 to 40 young people gathered in the parking lot of the restaurant in the 800 block of South Harbor Boulevard. Ledesma and another man got out and approached Maradiga, Despenas said.

In a common gang confrontation, one of the two men shouted to Maradiga, “Where are you from?” said Despenas. Then one of them allegedly pulled a handgun and began shooting.

Maradiga was shot several times in the upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene, Despenas said. Two companions, Jose Candelos, 24, and Alex Contreras, 18, were treated for minor injuries at UCI Medical Center.

The assailant then fled in a car full of men in an unknown direction, Despenas said, adding that authorities believe the men are gang members.

The Police Department’s gang unit is investigating. Witnesses to the shooting are asked to call the gang unit at (714) 245-8306.