LOS ANGELES, CA – A Costa Mesa man and his mother were arrested Tuesday after a shooting in a grocery store parking lot left one man critically injured, authorities said.
The Costa Mesa Police Department identified the suspects as Rodney Otis Rich, 37, and his mother, Tammie Walker, 63, both residents of Costa Mesa.
Police were dispatched around 7:35 a.m. to the 2100 block of Newport Boulevard following reports of a shooting in or near a Stater Bros. parking lot.
When officers arrived, they found an unidentified man suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Police later clarified that his injuries, while serious, were not expected to be fatal.
Authorities have not released the victim’s name, age or city of residence.
Investigators immediately began searching for the person or people believed to have been involved in the shooting.
Police used additional resources during the search, including SWAT personnel and a drone, as officers focused on an apartment complex in the 2400 block of Newport Boulevard, less than a mile from the shooting scene.
At around 3 p.m., officers located and arrested Rich and Walker in connection with the shooting.
Police said Walker lived at the apartment complex where the arrests were made.
Authorities have not disclosed what role investigators believe each suspect played in the incident.
It also remains unclear whether Rich, Walker or both are accused of directly participating in the shooting itself.
Police have not announced which suspect, if either, allegedly fired the weapon.
That distinction remains one of several unanswered questions as detectives continue working to reconstruct what happened Tuesday morning.
Information reviewed by Street People indicates authorities have also not said whether the suspects knew the wounded man before the incident.
A motive has not been released.
Police did say, however, that investigators do not currently believe the shooting was gang-related.
The lack of a publicly identified motive means investigators are still working to establish what led to the confrontation and why gunfire erupted in the parking lot during the morning hours.
Authorities have not disclosed whether there was an argument, previous dispute or other interaction before the victim was shot.
Police also have not said whether a firearm was recovered during the arrests or during any subsequent search.
No additional suspects have been publicly identified.
The shooting prompted a significant police response in the surrounding area as officers searched for the suspects.
Residents near the Newport Boulevard apartment complex were advised during the operation that a shooting suspect remained outstanding and were asked to avoid the area while police worked to make the arrests.
The incident began in a busy commercial area during the morning, increasing the possibility that witnesses or nearby surveillance systems may have captured portions of what happened.
Authorities have not said whether detectives recovered surveillance footage from the grocery store, surrounding businesses, apartment buildings or passing vehicles.
Such evidence could potentially help establish the movements of the suspects and victim before and after the shooting.
Police have likewise not released information about the type of firearm involved or the number of shots fired.
The victim remained hospitalized following the incident, but authorities said his injuries were critical rather than fatal.
His current condition beyond that initial assessment has not been released.
Rich and Walker were both taken into custody the same day as the shooting.
Authorities have not yet announced what specific charges prosecutors may ultimately file against either suspect.
Their arrests represent allegations, and both are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case remains under active investigation by Costa Mesa police.
Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the relationship — if any — between the suspects and victim, and the individual roles Rich and Walker allegedly played.
Police have said additional information will take time to develop as investigators continue gathering evidence.
Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information relevant to the case is encouraged to contact the Costa Mesa Police Department.
No additional arrests have been announced.
The investigation remains ongoing.
