Man Found Dead on Mission Viejo Parkway

The body of an unidentified man--apparently shot to death--was found in the middle of a parkway in Mission Viejo early Sunday after residents heard a noise like firecrackers going off in the usually quiet neighborhood.

The victim appeared to be in his 20s, 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, a county sheriff’s deputy said. He was found lying in the middle of Oso Parkway near Felipe Road.

Officials found no identification on the victim, and area residents said they did not know the man.

One resident who requested anonymity said she heard at least six “pops” in rapid succession about 3:30 a.m.

“I didn’t know if it was a firecracker or what,” she said. “I laid there for a minute, heard the dog bark once and then I heard a car speed away.”

Another resident, who also asked to remain unnamed, said she heard the noise but did not realize it was gunfire.

“It sounded like someone was banging on our door,” she said. “I jumped up, looked out the window, all around the house. Then a neighbor called and said, ‘Do you know there’s a body outside?’ ”

The woman, who has lived in the neighborhood for 4 years, went outside and saw the body.

“He wasn’t bleeding profusely,” she said. “He looked like he could have been anybody’s son.”