On the evening of Friday, February 20, 2026, a burst of gunfire in Santa Ana, California, claimed the life of 22-year-old Hispanic male, David Nicholas Bravo Martinez. The tragic events unfolded around 8:57 p.m. when Martinez and a 20-year-old companion were driving in the vicinity of the 700 block of East Elder Avenue. It was in this moment that they were targeted in a shooting that authorities believe to be gang-related.
Following the initial attack, the wounded 20-year-old driver
managed to navigate their vehicle to the 1200 block of East Borchard Avenue, where he promptly called the police to report the grim situation. Santa Ana Police Department officers were dispatched to the Borchard Avenue location and discovered the surviving victim with a gunshot wound to his upper torso. He was quickly transported to a local hospital and was listed in stable condition, expected to survive his injuries.
A short time later, at approximately 9:01 p.m., a second call led officers to the scene of the original shooting on East Elder Avenue. There, they found David Nicholas Bravo Martinez in the roadway, also suffering from a severe gunshot wound to his upper torso. Despite the immediate response from the Orange County Fire Authority, Martinez was pronounced deceased at the scene.
As of the initial reports, homicide detectives were actively investigating the double shooting. No suspects had been identified, and no arrests had been made in connection with the murder of David Nicholas Bravo Martinez. Authorities have made a public plea for any witnesses or individuals with information regarding the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. The Santa Ana Police Department has encouraged anyone with knowledge of the crime to contact their Homicide Section or to provide anonymous tips through Orange County Crime Stoppers.
