ANAHEIM : Gunman Sought After Man Slain, Youth Hurt

Police are searching for a gunman who opened fire from a car, killing a man and wounding a teen-age boy.

Officers responding to reports of gunfire in the 1800 block of Neighbors Avenue late Monday found John Ernest Garcia, 25, of Anaheim sprawled near an apartment building, Police Sgt. Charles Chavez said Tuesday. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene of a chest wound.

A 17-year-old male who was shot in the hip was taken to the Anaheim Memorial Hospital by friends before police arrived, Chavez said. The youth, whose identity was not made public, was later transferred to UCI Medical Center in Orange.

Investigators believe Garcia and the teen-ager were standing near the curb when a car stopped in front of them, Chavez said. An argument ensued and someone in the car opened fire about 10 p.m.

“It appeared that (Garcia) staggered a few steps before he fell,” Chavez said.

Descriptions of the assailant, who was last seen heading east on Neighbors Avenue, remained sketchy as police continued searching the neighborhood for witnesses. Nobody had been found who saw what happened, except the teen-ager. “And he’s not telling much,” Chavez said. “In all honesty, we’re puzzled as far as motive.”

There was no evidence of a gang-related crime, Chavez said.