2nd arrest in drive-by case

Costa Mesa police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the Aug. 2 drive-by shooting that killed a 23-year-old man and hurt four others.

Rachel Lauren Salorio, 22, of Irvine was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of accessory to murder.

Salorio’s boyfriend, Joshua Anthony Blount, 22, of Compton was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder with a special circumstance allegation that he used a gun.

Blount is accused of killing Israel Maciel of Costa Mesa in an alley off the 1300 block of West Baker Street, Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Marty Carver said. Four others were hurt in the shooting.

Salorio was arrested after coming to the police station to visit Blount. Investigators interviewed Salorio at the station and decided to arrest her in connection with the shooting, Carver said. Salorio’s bail was set at $1 million. She is scheduled to be arraigned today at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

Blount’s arraignment on Thursday was rescheduled until Oct. 13. His bail was set at $1 million, and he remained in custody Thursday night.

Carver declined to offer details on what role Salorio allegedly had in the shooting. It remains unclear what motivated the shooting as investigators provided scant details. On Wednesday the family told reporters that a second arrest had been made but Police Department representatives denied that was case. Police on Thursday reported Salorio’s arrest.

Investigators say Blount is a gang member but add that there is no information to verify if the shooting was gang-related.

Maciel’s stepfather, Martin Rodriguez, and Maciel’s girlfriend, Yacenia Hernandez, were in court Thursday to see Blount.

When he was brought in to the courtroom, Rodriguez and Hernandez said Blount seemed defiant.

“It’s a little relief, but it’s not going to bring him back,” Hernandez said of the arrests.

Rodriguez said the arrests didn’t change his feelings.

“We feel the same,” Rodriguez said. “The loss of a son is the loss of a son. We still have a pain in our hearts.”

Rodriguez said after his son died in his arms, he wanted to kill the person who took his life.

A devout Christian, Rodriguez said he could forgive his son’s killer. And he knew vengeance was not going to bring him back.

“We’re suffering the loss of our son, and I’m sure his [Blount’s] parents are suffering too,” he said. “I hope God touches his heart and changes him. God and the justice system will take care of him.”

Anyone with information about the slaying is asked to call Costa Mesa Police Det. Dana Potts at (714) 754-5363 or Det. Patrick Wesel at (714) 754-5178.