SANTA ANA, Calif. – A third-striker gang member on parole is scheduled to be arraigned today for attempting to murder a father and his son by shooting at them in a Santa Ana gang safety zone for the benefit of his gang. John Salgado, 31, Santa Ana, is charged with two felony counts of attempted premeditated murder, two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, two felony counts of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, two felony counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, one felony count of felon carrying a loaded firearm in public, and one felony count of possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, with sentencing enhancements for personal discharge of a firearm and criminal street gang activity. Salgado also faces sentencing enhancements for two prior serious and violent felony strike convictions for assault with a deadly weapon for the benefit of a criminal street gang and second degree robbery in 2007 in Orange County, and not remaining free for five years or more after serving a prison sentence. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Salgado is scheduled to be arraigned today, Jan. 26, 2017, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

At the time of the crime, Salgado had been out of prison on parole for approximately six months as part of a 10-year sentence and was wearing a GPS ankle monitor.

On Jan. 6, 2017, at approximately 9:45 p.m., John Doe 1 and his son, minor teen John Doe 2, were waiting in an idling vehicle for their family member to exit a nearby residence. Salgado is accused of approaching the car, brandishing a firearm, and asking the victims where they are from. John Doe 2 began to drive away from the defendant, and Salgado is accused of firing three shots at the victims. All three rounds struck the vehicle, and one went through a rear seat headrest into the rearview mirror, narrowly missing the victims. Salgado is accused of fleeing the scene, and the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) identified him during their investigation.

On Jan. 24, 2017, Salgado is accused of possessing a firearm and ammunition at his home in violation of his felony status. The defendant was subsequently arrested by SAPD, who investigated this case.

Deputy District Attorney Stephen Cornwell of the Gang Unit is prosecuting this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 17CF0197 / January 26, 2017