2 Men Shot, Badly Hurt After Car Overturns Fleeing Gunman In Westminster
WESTMINSTER (CBSLA.com) — Officials said two men were shot and both badly hurt after their vehicle overturned as they attempted to flee their assailant in Westminster.
Authorities also announced that a 27-year-old man, described as a transient and acquaintance of the victims, was taken into custody for attempted murder.
Police have identified the suspect as Ryan Paul McAlister. He was arrested at a business complex in Costa Mesa, according to police.
The two victims, whose names were not released, were hospitalized following the shootings and car crash, which were reported at 5:10 a.m. Saturday, according to police.
One victim has serious injuries, the other is now stable, according to Westminster police Sgt. Cameron Knauerhaze.
The suspect allegedly opened fire from another vehicle. The victims crashed as they tried to escape at Springdale and Ash streets, Knauerhaze said.
Westminster police got the "shots fired' call and reports of a crash, and upon arriving found an overturned vehicle containing two men suffering from gunshot wounds, Knauerhaze said.
"An alert Coast Mesa police officer spotted McAlister driving his vehicle in the 1800 block of Whittier Street in Costa Mesa, and was able to detain him until Westminster detectives arrived," Knauerhaze said.
"Detectives recovered a handgun from McAlister's vehicle," he said.
McAlister was booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder and was being held on $1 million bail.
A motive for the attack was not immediately known.
Detectives ask that anyone with information regarding the shooting call them at (714) 898-3315.
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