Santa Ana police Monday were seeking leads in the fatal shooting of a man with a lengthy criminal history
Police received a report of the shooting at 8:51 p.m. Saturday near 2000 S. Wood St., near Santa Ana Valley High School, said Santa Ana Police Department Officer Natalie Garcia. When officers arrived they found 48-year-old Trino Steven Leon of Anaheim had been shot multiple times.
Leon was rushed to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
It’s not clear why Leon was in the area or if he was the intended target, Garcia said. The area has been plagued with gang crimes, she added.
Anyone with helpful information for investigators was asked to call 714-245-8390. Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at 855-TIP-OCCS.
A warrant had been issued for Leon’s arrest in October when he failed to show in court for his arraignment on three misdemeanor counts of possess of a controlled substance and a count of possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records.
Leon was accused of possessing methamphetamine, psilocybin and fentanyl.
Leon pleaded guilty in September to two counts of possession of a controlled substance and a count of possession drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors.
Leon pleaded guilty in January 2019 to assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Leon pleaded guilty in December 2017 to two counts of possessing an illegal substance in jail, two counts of buying or receiving a stolen vehicle or equipment, car theft, bringing or sending a controlled substance into jail or prison, possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a loaded firearm in public and receiving stolen property, all felonies, as well as misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and burglary tools.
Leon pleaded guilty in July 2003 to leading police on a chase and receiving stolen property, both felonies, as well as misdemeanor counts of being under the influence of a controlled substance, possessing burglary tools and driving without a valid driver’s license.
The victim pleaded guilty in January 1996 to assault with a firearm with sentencing enhancements for gang activity.