18-year-old woman fatally shot in Santa Ana called an unintended victim; $50,000 reward offered as family mourns
Police, civic leaders and relatives of an 18-year-old woman killed during a drive-by shooting in Santa Ana last week pleaded for the public’s help and announced a $50,000 reward on Tuesday, Sept. 3., for information leading to those responsible for her death.
Victoria Barrios and one other person were struck by gunfire near the intersection of Pine and Hickory streets just after midnight on Friday, Aug. 30, Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin said during a news conference. Officers found Barrios suffering from a wound to her upper torso on the 500 block of Pine Street, where paramedics pronounced her dead at 12:12 a.m.
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“Someone left her in the street to die like an animal,” the slain woman’s mother, Eva Barrios, told reporters in a wavering voice on Tuesday.
She described her daughter as a confident, opinionated woman who was eager to do good in her community. Relatives said the former Los Amigos High School student had graduated in June 2018. Her mother said she showed an interest in criminal justice, and “had the sass to be a probation officer or a caseworker dealing with troubled youth.”
“She was always singing, laughing and dancing,” Eva Barrios said. “She had the biggest smile, the most wonderful laugh.”
Investigators believe she was the unintended target of a gang-related homicide, Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. He added that a second victim, a 17-year old male found critically wounded on 300 block of Hickory Street, did not appear to have any gang affiliation. He survived, and was recovering in a hospital as of Tuesday evening.
Video surveillance captured on the night of the shooting shows at least one person firing from an open rear-passenger-side door of a moving SUV. Authorities described it as a newer model, red or maroon full-size vehicle with four doors. A detailed description of any possible shooter or driver was not available Tuesday evening.
Valentin called Victoria Barrios’s death a “senseless homicide,” and said “no family should ever have to experience this.”
Victoria’s sister, Valerie Barrios, wiped tears from her eyes as her mother held her hand. Behind them, about 20 of Victoria Barrios’s loved ones had gathered in mourning, while asking for the community’s help in seeking justice.
Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Juan Villegas and City Council Member David Penaloza joined police and the Barrios family in reaching out to anyone who might be able to help detectives identify the those responsible for Victoria’s death. Authorities have offered $50,000 via the SAPD Homicide Reward Program for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in this case. Tips can be left with the Santa Ana Police Department by dialing 714-245-8390 or contacting Orange County Crime Stoppers at https://occrimestoppers.org/
Meanwhile, Eva Barrios offered to search her heart for forgiveness in case anyone comes forward to admit their involvement in her daughter’s death.
“I believe people make mistakes, and I think I can forgive you for this mistake,” she said. “Please, just give us closure.”