In the early hours of September 10, 2023, Santa Ana resident Angel Fregoso, aged 31, was fatally shot in what authorities have described as a gang-related incident. At approximately 2:50 a.m., Santa Ana Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1400 block of South Main Street. Upon arrival, they discovered Fregoso inside a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. Paramedics from the Orange County Fire Authority pronounced him dead at the scene.
Investigations revealed that Fregoso and a female acquaintance had stopped at a Mobil gas station located at 1465 S. Main St. As they were preparing to leave, two suspects approached them, inquiring about their gang affiliation. The confrontation escalated when one of the suspects shot Fregoso in the head. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
Following a thorough investigation, detectives identified 35-year-old Santa Ana resident Jose Manuel Quiroz as the primary suspect in Fregoso's murder. Quiroz was arrested on November 8, 2023, during the execution of multiple search warrants at residences in Santa Ana, Orange, and Sacramento. Subsequently, on November 10, 2023, the Orange County District Attorney's office charged Quiroz with felony murder, including enhancements related to gang involvement and the use of a firearm causing death. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at the Central Justice Center and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on January 22, 2024.
The Santa Ana Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Fregoso's death, emphasizing the gang-related nature of the crime. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information to contact the SAPD Homicide Section Detectives or Orange County Crime Stoppers. This case is eligible for the Gang Reward Program, which offers incentives for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in gang-related activities.
