Police: Woman in Santa Ana Killed By Bullet Meant For Two Teen Boys

A 36-year-old woman was fatally shot by a round meant for two teenagers who were running from a drive-by shooting in Santa Ana, authorities said.

The victim was identified as Maria Del Refugio Mora of Santa Ana, the Santa Ana Police Department reported Saturday.

“Everything happened so fast," Jose Ramos, a witness, said. “I heard the gun shots, and when I heard the gunshots I told my employees, ‘they’re shooting.'"

Jose Ramos says he was working at Pizza Trio last Sunday around 4:30 p.m. when a drive-by shooting happened on the corner of Cypress and Edinger avenues in Santa Ana.

“I saw both of them. I don’t know if they fell or if they ducked. I’m pretty sure they ducked to avoid the bullets. It happened so fast," Ramos said.

Officers were sent to a parking lot at 1473 S. Main St. at about 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 4. They found Mora suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Paramedics rushed her to a hospital in critical condition. She died from her injuries on Friday.

The department said the two boys were being shot at by suspects in a white-colored sedan last weekend. The two ran into a parking lot as they were being fired upon. Mora was struck by gunfire and the two boys were not injured,
police said.

"The circumstances surrounding this shooting are currently being investigated, however detectives believe the motive could be gang-related,'' police said. "Detectives are attempting to identify and locate any witnesses who can shed light on this incident.'

Ramos says Mora and her husband were in the area picking up a pizza. 

“The husband actually came by to pick up the order and as soon as he left, that’s when the first gunshot appeared," Ramos said. “Looking at the kid’s face, looking at the mom laying down on the floor. It was really bad.”

The department's homicide section urged anyone with information about the shooting to call them at 714-245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.