[UPDATED with Arrest:] John Perez, OC Homicide No. 40: 14 y.o. Gang Murder Victim?

See Update No. 2 on the arrest of a murder suspect.

See Update No. 1 at the end of this post identifying the victim and disclosing what was found near the murder scene.


ORIGINAL POST, OCT. 17, 9:46 A.M.: A 14-year-old boy was shot to death Tuesday night in a homicide the Anaheim Police Department believe was gang-related. Based on a quick look at the Weekly's homicide archives, that would make this the sixth killing this year Anaheim Police immediately linked to gang activity. Investigators were unsure about gang ties to other slayings.
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See also:

Hector Omar Rocha, OC Homicide No. 17: Another Shot in Front of Anaheim Apartments
Angel “Minor” Rivera, OC Homicide No. 19: Gang Shooting Pinned on George Angel Galvin and Ismael Avalos
Ramon Magana and Edwin Alarrazabal, OC Homicide Nos. 36 and 37: Gang Gunfire Suspected

A handgun was found near the body of the teen found last night on a sidewalk in the
200 block of East Vermont Avenue, which is near an alleyway in the 800
block of South Claudina Street where neighbors had just reported
multiple gun shots.




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Police have not yet identified the dead boy but say he was a documented gang member.

No suspects have been arrested or identified. If you can help investigators find the killer(s), visit occrimestoppers.org or call 855.847.6227.

UPDATE NO. 1, OCT. 18, 9:32 A.M.: Anaheim Police have identified the dead 14-year-old boy as John Perez of Anaheim and confirmed it is so far unknown if the handgun found next to his body was used to shoot him. Shot multiple times, the registered gang member was believed to be in a rival gang's territory, add police of the homicide unit's 14th murder victim of the year. (Yes, a 14-year-old is the 14th murder victim; so sad.)

A green Mitsubishi Montero SR with multiple bullet holes in the windshield was found parked nearby, according to police.

UPDATE NO. 2, OCT. 29, 8:55 A.M.: Anaheim Police say they made an arrest Thursday morning in the gang-shooting death of John Perez, 14. Christian Jimenez, 20, of Anaheim, is being held. Police have not yet revealed any more details, including why Jimenez is suspected.

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