Two men wounded in second alley shooting

Lolita Harper

Gunfire echoed through a dark alley Wednesday, leaving two residents

in the hospital and police with yet another mysterious shooting to

investigate.

Three or four unidentified men, estimated to be in their 20s,

approached two other men -- also unidentified -- who were hanging out

in the alley in the 300 block of Coolidge Avenue at about 10 p.m.,

said Costa Mesa Police Lt. Tom Winter, who was reading from a

department-issued press release.

According the release, there was an argument between the two

groups and several rounds were fired. The two victims were

transported to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

Winter said both victims were Costa Mesa residents but could not

release their names, ages or medical status. He also refused to

confirm or deny whether the shooting was being investigated as a

possible gang crime.

“You have to understand that I can’t give any more than is on this

release,” Winter said. “This is strictly on press release format..”

The case is being handled by Det. Sgt. Jack Archer and is being

treated as an assault with a deadly weapon, Winter said.

Wednesday’s shooting follows closely on the heels of a similar

alley shooting Oct. 11, when 20-year-old Ferdinand Eugenio

Zamudio-Saucedo was killed after an unidentified man walked up to him

and shot him in the chest following an argument.

Last month’s shooting was determined by police to have no gang

affiliation and the suspect fired a single bullet, compared to the

several rounds fired on the eve of Thanksgiving.

Police would not say if the two cases are related.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or by e-mail at

lolita.harper@latimes.com.