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O.C. man arrested for gang-related murder he allegedly committed when he was 17 

SAPD cruiser seen here in this file photo. (Santa Ana Police Deptartment)

A 19-year-old from Orange County has been arrested for a murder he allegedly committed more than two years ago. 

In a media advisory, the Santa Ana Police Department said that the fatal shooting occurred at 7:23 p.m. on April 28, 2022, in an alleyway near 1400 South Minnie Street in Santa Ana. 

Responding officers located an unresponsive man inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds to his torso, SAPD said.   

Another man was also found at the scene with a gunshot wound to the torso, police added. 

Both victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, where one survived and one died from his injuries. 

The person who died was identified as Tustin resident Robert Izelo, who was just 18 at the time of the shooting; the identity of the surviving victim was not released, although previous reports indicated that he is Izelo’s cousin. 

From the investigation, detectives concluded the shooting was gang related.  They were also able to identify the suspect as Kevin Chavez of Santa Ana, who was just 17 years old at the time of the murder. 

Chavez, now 19, avoided authorities for over two years before he was arrested in Santa Ana on Friday, Santa Ana police confirmed.  The circumstances surrounding his arrest were not disclosed. 

He was booked into the Orange County Juvenile Hall and charged with murder. 

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Section detectives by calling 714-245-8390.  Calls can also be directed to Orange County Crime Stoppers (1-855-847-6227) 

The case is eligible for the department’s Gang Reward program, police confirmed.