Girl Stabbed To Death In Costa Mesa

COSTA MESA, CA — A 31-year-old Anaheim man has been arrested in the stabbing death of a 15-year-old girl in Costa Mesa, in what police Sunday called a gang-related attack.

Police were called to the 700 block of the Shalimar Drive, a few blocks west of the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway, at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department. Paramedics responded to the scene and found the female victim on the ground outside with a life-threatening stab wound.

Officers and paramedics started life-saving efforts including CPR and rushed her to a hospital, where she died a couple hours later, police said. The victim's name has been withheld due to her age and the nature of the investigation.

Authorities said detectives and Gang Unit investigators established that it was a gang-related attack. The man suspected of stabbing the victim was quickly identified and subsequently located in Anaheim. Saturday evening, with the assistance of the Anaheim Police Department, suspected gang member Matthew Juarez, 31, was arrested at his home without further incident.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to contract Detective Peralta at 714-754-5039, or Investigator Molina at 714-754-5694.

— City News Service