| For Immediate Release Case # 08WF0083
|
GANG MEMBER CONVICTED OF SHOOTING AND INJURING US ARMY VETERAN CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE WHILE DEFENDANT ATTEMPTED TO
MURDER TWO RIVALS
SANTA ANA – A documented gang member was convicted today of shooting and injuring a U.S. Army veteran caught in the crossfire while attempting to murder two rivals. Adrian Arroyo, 20, Garden Grove, was found guilty by a jury of two felony counts of attempted murder, one felony count of active participant in criminal street gang carrying a loaded firearm in public, and one felony count of street terrorism. The sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity, the vicarious discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, and being a gang member armed with a firearm were found true. Arroyo was 17 years old when he committed the crimes and was direct-filed as an adult. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison at his sentencing on July 16, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-36, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
In the afternoon on May 11, 2007, Arroyo, a documented member of a Garden Grove Hispanic criminal street gang was approached by two rival gang members who attempted to attack the defendant while walking on Amy Avenue in Garden Grove. Arroyo was able to escape and returned to his nearby home. The defendant told a gang associate, Oscar Torres, about the attempted attack and decided to retaliate.
At approximately 6:00 p.m. Arroyo and Torres drove in a Nissan Altima to Amy Avenue armed with a firearm looking for the two rivals, Bradley Lutman and Richard (last name unknown), that had attempted to attack the defendant earlier that day. Arroyo saw the rivals walking up to their home and got out of the car firing at them several times. The shots missed the rivals and hit a 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran. Armando E., who had no gang ties, was playing in the front yard with his 10-year-old sister during a family barbeque. Arroyo’s shot hit the Armando E. in the right cheek and exited the left cheek. The victim’s sister called 911.
Arroyo and Torres got back into the Nissan and fled the scene. Upon further investigation, Arroyo was arrested on Sept. 11, 2007.
The victim was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for the gunshot wound and still suffers from nasal cavity damage.
During trial, the victim testified that he knew he was being shot at after hearing a similar whistling sound that he had heard while being shot at serving in Afghanistan.
At the time charges were filed against Arroyo, Torres had been sentenced eight years and eight months in state prison and rendered paralyzed in another Orange County gang-related shooting case. Torres was not charged in this case.