Man, 22, Pleads Guilty In Mission Viejo Shooting

MISSION VIEJO, CA — A Mission Viejo man pleaded guilty Thursday to a shooting while he was out on bail for robbery, and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Baltazar Santosalvarado, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and single counts of aggravated mayhem and assault with a deadly weapon, all felonies, according to court records. He also admitted sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a gun.

According to court records, Santosalvarado admitted a shooting on June 23, 2024, and an assault on Oct. 13, 2024.

Santosalvarado was out on bail for a Feb. 13, 2022, robbery, and vandalism on April 16, 2023, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in those cases, as well.

Sheriff's deputies were dispatched about 1:10 a.m. June 23, 2024 to the 26000 block of Via Damasco regarding the shooting, according to the department. When they arrived, they detained Santosalvarado, who said he opened fire. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the arm.