Costa Mesa, CA – Police say a 15-year-old girl was fatally stabbed in what investigators believe was a gang-related attack on Saturday afternoon, leaving the community shaken and sparking a swift manhunt for the suspect.
Police Respond to Stabbing Call
According to the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD), officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Shalimar Drive around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday following reports of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found the teenage victim on the ground suffering from at least one stab wound.
Emergency responders rushed the girl to a local hospital, but she was later pronounced dead. Authorities have not released her name due to her age and the sensitive nature of the case.
Gang-Related Attack Confirmed
Investigators quickly determined the incident was gang-related, although police have not disclosed a specific motive. CMPD stated that the relationship between the suspect and the victim remains unclear.
As reported by the Costa Mesa Police Department, the attack prompted an immediate search for the suspect.
Suspect Arrested in Anaheim
Authorities identified Matthew Juarez, 31, as the suspect. Later that same day, officers located him in Anaheim and placed him under arrest without incident. No additional details about his alleged gang affiliation or prior criminal history have been made public.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
Residents of the Shalimar Drive neighborhood expressed shock and concern over the violence, noting that the area has experienced gang-related issues in the past. Local leaders have called for increased youth outreach and anti-gang initiatives to prevent further tragedies.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
How do you think communities can better protect teens from gang violence? Share your thoughts in the comments.
