An Orange County man has been taken into custody for a gang-related murder that happened over two years ago when he was 17, Santa Ana police said. Kevin Chavez, now 19, was arrested on July 12, for the fatal shooting that occurred on the evening of April 28, 2022.
According to KTLA, officers responded to a call at 7:23 p.m. and arrived at an alley near 1400 South Minnie Street to find Robert Izelo, an 18-year-old Tustin resident, unresponsive inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds to his torso. Another man was also found shot at the scene and was rushed to the hospital alongside Izelo, who ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The surviving victim, reportedly Izelo's cousin, was not named.
The Santa Ana Police Department's investigation concluded that the shooting was gang-related, as per KTLA. Authorities were able to identify Chavez as the suspect, but he evaded arrest until recently. His capture came after a lengthy period on the run, with the circumstances of his apprehension not disclosed by the police.
In a statement released by the Santa Ana Police Department, they encouraged "anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS." This case qualifies for the department's Gang Reward Program, aimed at incentivizing members of the public to come forward with pertinent information that can assist in such investigations.
