Detectives with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s Career Offenders, Burglary, Robbery Assault, or COBRA, Team are no longer investigating a gunshot victim who turned up at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital late Wednesday night. The incident was initially reported to have occurred in Castaic, but it’s now believed to have taken place in the San Fernando Valley.
Station officials were notified of a male patient who arrived at the hospital sometime after 10:20 p.m. with a woman who drove him there.
COBRA detectives had been investigating the crime as a possible gang-related shooting, as well as reports that he may have been shot in Castaic. The victim, who was shot in the leg, reported that he and the woman were walking on Castaic Road, near the Rodeway Inn, when he was shot.
The shooting victim, Jose Escuadra, 38, who listed a Madera address, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence for an incident that happened around 10 p.m. May 5 at the Rodeway Inn, per Sheriff’s Department arrest records. He was free on bond as of May 6 for that incident.
However, Sheriff’s Station officials learned Thursday afternoon the shooting is now suspected to have taken place in Sylmar, despite prior reports. Los Angeles Police Department officials notified SCV detectives of their suspicion based on a separate investigation, and will now assume the handling of the matter as it’s believed to have occurred in their jurisdiction.
The condition of the patient was not immediately available as of Thursday afternoon, but he’s believed to have sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.
This is a breaking news story and more information will be released as it becomes available.
Ed. note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly noted the victim arrived at the hospital Thursday night.
