Man fatally shot in Anaheim park; suspect sought

A man was fatally shot Thursday in an Anaheim park that nearby residents say has become a magnet for suspicious activity.

Reports of gunfire at about 3:05 p.m. drew police to Chaparral Park at 1770  West Broadway, according to Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt. Responding officers found one man who appeared to be in his 20’s suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The victim was transferred to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

UPDATE: Confirmed homicide at Chaparral Park. Male in his 20s pronounced deceased at hospital from gunshot wound. Homicide and Gang detectives on scene. Anyone with info call @occrimestoppers

— Anaheim PD (@AnaheimPD) October 25, 2018

“I heard two gunshots, then a lot of shouting,” said a woman who was interviewed by police but declined to giver her full name to the Register. “Then I heard what sounded like somebody hopping a fence as I came over and saw somebody running away.”

Police were looking for at least one suspect, Wyatt said. He said authorities had not yet determined a motive for the shooting.

Nearby residents said they have observed people drinking and smoking at Chaparral Park at odd hours almost every night.

One woman who lives nearby said that, about three months ago, she was coming home from a concert and walking through the park at night with friends. It was about 10 p.m. when they were confronted by a group of about four or five people who chased them through the park, all the way to her house.

One resident said she was considering whether or not to continue living in the area.

“We call it AnaCrime. It’s sad to see this neighborhood go down the tubes,” said Bev Quintell, 60, who has lived near the park for 40 years. “At this point, I would love to sell this place and get out of here.”