SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Garden Grove man was convicted today of shooting and murdering a man and attempting to murder two women in Santa Ana. Dustin Sean Ross McDonald, 24, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of first degree murder, two felony counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, and sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death or great bodily injury. He faces a maximum sentence of 114 years to life in state prison at his sentencing Aug. 26, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center Santa Ana.

On Aug. 12, 2014, McDonald arranged to meet with the three victims in Santa Ana for a drug transaction. At approximately 11:30 p.m. that night, the defendant drove up to the victim's vehicle in the area of 12th Street and Main Street, stepped out of his vehicle, walked around to the front passenger side of the victims' vehicle while armed with a firearm, and fired approximately 10 shots. McDonald murdered the front passenger, 23-year-old Aaron Chavez, and wounded both the 21-year-old female driver of the vehicle and the 28-year-old female passenger.

The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) responded to the scene and investigated this case. McDonald was arrested by SAPD the next day.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Keith Burke of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 14CF2681 / June 14, 2016