Sun. May 19th, 2024

Three California teens were arrested Thursday for a shooting that killed a pizza delivery driver in Stanton who was stopping to help an assault victim in 2022.

The suspects were identified as 19-year-old Henry Diep Le, 19-year-old Adrian Castaneda, and 18-year-old Damian Ivan Mayorga.

The suspects are accused of their involvement in a shooting that killed 49-year-old Juan Cristalinas and left a 76-year-old man hospitalized, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Last June, authorities responded to the 7000 block of Lessue Avenue on a call of unknown trouble.

Arriving deputies found both victims lying on the street with gunshot wounds.

It was later discovered that Cristalinas was a pizza delivery driver who had stopped driving and hopped out to intervene when the 76-year-old victim was being assaulted by the suspects.

Both men were transported to the hospital where Cristalinas later died. The unidentified 76-year-old man was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspects had fled the location prior to deputies’ arrival. At the time, O.C. deputies called the crime a “tragic incident.”

Sally Cox, a neighbor, said she thought several fireworks had gone off. Moments later, she heard a noise at her door thinking it was the pizza she had ordered.

Her neighbor told her there had been a shooting, and Cox later discovered her pizza delivery driver was the victim.

Over the last year, homicide investigators and multiple agencies worked to identify the assailants. Following search warrants, all three suspects were arrested and booked on suspicion of murder.

The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to call O.C. Sheriff Homicide investigators at 714-647-7000 or submit anonymous tips through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

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By Buffy Gunner

Independent Journalist + Business Owner | Lover of all things true crime. Mantra: Only YOU can be YOU. | Los Angeles Born | buffygunner@illicitdeeds.com

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