Long Beach man charged with murder in killing of man found dead at Santa Ana College

Officials filed murder and other felony charges Wednesday, Sept. 18, against a 49-year-old Long Beach man suspected of robbing and shooting a Santa Ana resident found dead at a community college campus on Monday.

Prosecutors accused Antonio Lamont Triplett of murder, robbery and firing a gun at a vehicle. He also faces sentencing enhancements for allegedly committing homicide during a robbery, and the discharge of a firearm resulting in death. He could serve life in prison without the possibility of parole if he is found guilty of all charges.

Two other persons-of-interest possibly involved in the homicide had also been in police custody, but were released Wednesday evening pending further investigation, Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. Their identities were not made public, and detectives were working to determine whether they had a role in the shooting or robbery.

Police arrested Triplett on suspicion of killing 29-year-old Osvaldo Garcia of Santa Ana. First responders found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at about 1 a.m. Monday, after his car traveled onto a curb near the entrance of a parking lot at Santa Ana College. Paramedics attempted to save his life, but he died before he could be taken to a hospital.

The exact sequence of events that unfolded that night remained unclear Wednesday. Police reported were summoned to a traffic crash at 17th and Bristol streets just before 1 a.m. Monday. Then, two minutes later, they received a call regarding shots fired near Bristol and Washington Avenue. At some point that evening, the victim was robbed, Santa Ana Police detectives said.

Investigators have not ruled out theft as a motive for the homicide, but had not officially suggested a reason for the killing as of Wednesday evening, Bertagna said. It’s unclear if Garcia, Triplett or any other possible suspects knew each other.

City News Service contributed to this report.