Suspect Held in Christmas Slaying

SANTA ANA — One suspect was arrested Wednesday in connection with a fatal drive-by shooting on Christmas morning, but police said at least two more people are being sought in the crime.

Police Cpl. Rick Reese said the suspect, Jose Garcia Cruz, 21, of Santa Ana, was arrested without incident at his home at 1 a.m. Wednesday. Reese said Cruz was the driver of the car, and that two other people who were in the car are still being sought.

The fatal shooting occurred near an apartment complex at Bristol and Warner streets. The victim, Jorge Cesar Cantu, 26, of Santa Ana, was shot once in the chest at 10:40 a.m. as he stood at the street corner. He died at the scene. The car, which witnesses said had at least three people in it, sped off after the shooting, police said.

Reese said help from witnesses helped identify Cruz as a suspect.

Reese added that police have determined that no gang was involved in the shooting. “It’s not gang-related,” he said. “We’re not sure what the motive was, but we know it was not gang-related.”