| For Immediate Release Case # 12WF2176
September 20, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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18-YEAR-OLD TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR SHOOTING-MURDER OF RIVAL 17-YEAR-OLD
WESTMINSTER – An 18-year-old man will be arraigned tomorrow for the shooting-murder of a rival 17-year-old. Reda Hassan Safieddine, 18, Fountain Valley, is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. Safieddine is out of custody on $1 million bail and is scheduled for a continued arraignment tomorrow, Sept. 21, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster.
At the time of the crime, the defendant and victim are accused of being members of rival tagging crews. A few hours before the shooting on Aug. 13, 2012, the defendant is accused of running into the victim and arguing with him in a residential neighborhood near Cubbon Street and Mohawk Drive in Santa Ana. After the verbal confrontation, the two went their separate ways.
At approximately 1:20 p.m. the defendant is accused of driving and parking his car in a convenience store parking lot in Fountain Valley. The defendant is accused of grabbing a shotgun from the backseat of his car upon seeing the victim drive into the parking lot.
The defendant is accused of standing outside his car as the unarmed victim walked towards the defendant’s vehicle. The defendant is accused of murdering the victim by firing one round from his shotgun and hitting the victim’s neck. The victim died at the scene.
Fountain Valley Police Department (FVPD) officers arrived to the scene and arrested the defendant.
FVPD investigated this case. Senior Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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