2 Arrested After Alleged Orange County Gang-Related Attack

ORANGE COUNTY, CA -- Two men already on parole have been arrested on suspicion of assault for allegedly attacking another man in Tustin; police believe the violence was gang-related.

Officers responded about 9 a.m. Tuesday to a report of a street fight in the area of Carlann Circle and Pasadena Avenue, according to Tustin Police Department Lt. Brian Greene.

Three people in the group had sustained injuries -- two with facial cuts and one with abrasions on his hand and wrist area, Green said.

``After the initial investigation, officers learned one male victim was approached by two male suspects,'' Greene said. ``The suspects verbally challenged the victim and without warning, both male suspects began assaulting the victim."

The victim's family members and other residents saw what was happening and all came to his aid. When one of the suspects was being held down by the victims and neighbors, the second suspect obtained a shovel and began hitting several people in the group in an apparent attempt to free the first suspect, according to Greene.

Several subjects received non-life-threatening wounds as a result of being struck by a metal shovel. The second suspect fled the scene on foot prior to the officers arriving on scene, Greene said.

Detectives learned the identity of the outstanding suspect and arrested him at his home in Santa Ana, Greene said.

``There appears to be no obvious relationship between the victims and suspects,'' he remarked. ``The motive for this attack appears to be gang-related.''

The suspect detained at the scene was booked on suspicion of assault and battery and the second on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to Greene, who said both are on active parole.

City News Service contributed to this report.