02-06-2025
Man found shot to death behind Orange County liquor store
A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found shot to death behind a liquor store in Orange County on Sunday, police confirmed to KTLA.
It happened before 5 p.m., according to the Santa Ana Police Department, outside of a strip mall on the intersection of Newhope and 1st streets.
Police responded to reports of a shooting victim down behind Bottle Liquor and Spirit, located at 4502 W. 1st St.
Officers arrived to find a man, estimated to be in his mid-40s, suffering from one gunshot wound. Authorities did not specify where the bullet wound was on the man's body.
Details are limited, but officials ultimately pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Footage from showed a large law enforcement presence at the scene, with multiple cruisers and yellow crime scene tape cordoning off the area around the liquor store.
Santa Ana PD posted a public advisory to X at 5:47 p.m., saying, 'Police Activity: In the area of 1st Street and Newhope Street. Please stay away from the area.'
Just before 6:30 p.m., a spokesperson for the police department told KTLA that authorities were waiting to have the coroner's office come out to verify whether the man's death was the result of a homicide or if it was self-inflicted.
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However, they said detectives will be treating it as a homicide investigation for now. Police were not immediately able to provide a suspect description.
Authorities said no other injuries were reported.
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