LOS ANGELES, CA – Authorities in Orange County are investigating a New Year’s Day shooting that left a man hospitalized and endangered the lives of his partner and their infant child in what police believe was a targeted attack.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Goldenwest Street and Trask Avenue in the city of Westminster, according to the Westminster Police Department.
Investigators said the family’s vehicle was stopped at or near the intersection when an unidentified suspect standing on a street corner opened fire, shooting multiple times toward the car. After the shooting, the gunman fled the scene in a black sedan that had been waiting nearby.
The male driver of the vehicle sustained injuries that were described as non-life-threatening, authorities said. Meanwhile, his female passenger and their 8-month-old child were unharmed despite being inside the car during the attack.
Although the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, police said the incident did not appear to be random but instead was a targeted act aimed at the male victim.
Detectives with the Westminster Police Department have taken over the investigation and are working to determine the identity of the suspect and locate the getaway vehicle, described as a black sedan.
Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and homes to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and identify any suspects involved.
“We believe this was not a random act of violence but rather a targeted incident,” a spokesperson for the department said. “We are following leads and working diligently to bring those responsible to justice.”
Police have not yet released information about the suspect’s identity or whether the victim may have known the shooter.
Officials are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to contact the Westminster Police Department at 714-548-3767.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-855-847-6227 or through online reporting platforms designed to protect the identity of tipsters.
Residents in the Westminster area expressed concern following the incident, noting that the targeted nature of the attack has heightened worries about safety in the community.
Authorities emphasized that they are dedicated to maintaining public safety and preventing further violence.
“We understand the concerns this incident has raised,” the police department said in a statement. “We are actively investigating and doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our residents.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to release additional details about the suspect’s vehicle and any developments regarding potential leads.
Officials are asking witnesses or anyone with video footage of the area around Goldenwest Street and Trask Avenue at the time of the incident to come forward.
No further information has been released at this time, and police are urging the public to remain vigilant while investigators work to identify the suspects involved.
