Santa Ana Police Department
Advisory: Homicide Detectives investigating shooting death 200 block South Newhope
Details: On 5-18-14 at approximately 0235 a.m. officers responded to the 300 block of south Newhope regarding a shooting victim. Upon arrival, they located the victim a 22 year old male who had been shot in the upper torso. He has been identified as 22-year-old Leonicio Banuelos.
Orange County Fire Authority and paramedics responded to the scene and transported the victim to UCI Medical where he later died from his injuries.
Leonicio Banuelos
A preliminary investigation found the shooting may have occurred as the victim was walking S/B on the eastside of the street in the 200 block of south Newhope. A silver colored unknown make or model Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) which was traveling N/B on Newhope stopped and fired several shots from the vehicle. At least one round struck the victim in the upper torso. Detectives believe the victim walked to his residence in the 300 south Newhope and police were called.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Detectives at 714-245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
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Editor’s Note – According to his Facebook Page, Banuelos was married in 2011. He was from Santa Ana and attended Los Amigos High School. He apparently worked at the Elephant Bar. He appears to be survived by three sisters.
Welcome to Vibrant err. I mean Violent Santa Ana!
This is my cousin he died. He was doing so well. And had a family. But died. He was always smiling. Always spreading joy. Rip
We are so sorry for your loss! May he rest in peace. I hope justice is served on those who took his life.
I went to Los amigos with this guy he was a gangbanger nd he probably deserved what he got
you may have went to school with him, but you didnt know him. he worked – took care of his mother. he was an awesome person with the greatest smile.he was a joy to be around.
Writing that is foul who are you to judge?
WHo the f*ck are you to say he deserved it! No human being has the right to take another humans life asshole.
wttff no he didnt alright i, his sister i know what he was doing and he didnt deserved this you idot !
he did not deserve this, he might of been what you said but deep down that does not give the right of way to judge my bROTHER.
Don’t be so ignorant and say things that you will later regret, he didn’t deserved that why would someone take someone’s life. you said it he might have been in a gang but he changed his life style and you don’t even know how much people loved him because he had a great hearth. and he would have a big smile on his face all the time, I just hope that you don’t chock on your own words. you never know it could happened to you or a family member and than you will remember. I hope not!
This person who u are referring to as a gangbanger changed my life and to my family to, he helped my dad out a lot and looked out for me since I was in 5th grade, and you are saying he deserved to die u didn’t even know him he was loved by many, and it broke my heart knowing he died he was a brother to me.
Rest In Paradise Leonicio
just no