OC Man Charged With Murder In Brazen Daylight Stabbing Of Teen Girl

COSTA MESA, CA — A 31-year-old convicted gang member was charged with murder Tuesday for the fatal daylight stabbing of a 15-year-old girl in Costa Mesa.

Matthew Juarez of Anaheim is accused of killing Allison Castillo of Costa Mesa Saturday afternoon.

He was charged with murder with special circumstances of gang activity, and faces sentencing enhancements for gang activity with the personal use of a deadly weapon.

Police officers were dispatched at around 12:30 p.m. Saturday to the 700 block of Shalimar Drive when they found the victim, the Costa Mesa Police Department said Saturday.

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Castillo was rushed to a nearby hospital, according to the department. She was pronounced dead several hours later, authorities said.

Investigators believe the killing was gang-related.

According to court records, Juarez has a lengthy criminal history on gang-related charges.

Juarez pleaded guilty to felony burglary and misdemeanor resisting arrest in January 2012.

He pleaded guilty to a felony count of assault with a firearm and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest and admitted sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a gun and gang activity in October 2013.

He pleaded guilty in January 2022 to a felony count of possession of a gun by a felon and a misdemeanor count of destroying evidence for a gang. He also admitted a sentencing enhancement for gang activity.

City News Service contributed to this report.