The investigative record from a bedside interview at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital offers another glimpse at the difficulty in investigating gang-related crimes, according to court records obtained by The Signal.
A fight that ended in gunfire was reported around 8:26 p.m. Nov. 11 at Creekview Park in Newhall, after a man flashed a handgun, according to first responder radio dispatch traffic from a 911 call.
Detectives with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s Juvenile and Gang Unit are investigating the crime, according to Detective Nichoas Marinelli, who said the incident was part of an active and ongoing investigation. No suspect had been arrested as of this story’s publication.
SCV Sheriff’s Station Watch Sgt. Josh Nemeth reported at the time of the incident deputies had received a call from the area of 4th Street and Pine Street, with the caller reporting that juveniles were fighting and that a person in the vicinity claimed to have a firearm. An unidentified informant then called authorities saying that they had been shot, but refused to provide any information and hung up.
Thought to have originated from Canyon Country, the call was later traced to the 22000 block of Park Street, according to officials.
When deputies learned a gunshot victim was taken to Henry Mayo in a “private vehicle,” deputies responded there and attempted to interview the victim, who was ultimately hospitalized for several days with a gunshot wound.
The 19-year-old victim stated he did not know who shot him, nor did he remember who was with him at the time of the shooting, according to the detective’s report.
Investigators were given information that the incident involved a confrontation with a former gang member in the Santa Clara River wash at Creekview Park, between the basketball courts and the play structure.
A canvas of the area did not yield any physical evidence from the suspect, according to investigators.
Detectives are now hoping that a digital trail will answer questions about who was where at what time, according to investigative records at the Santa Clarita Courthouse.
Anyone with additional information can contact the SCV Sheriff’s Station at 661-260-4000. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via L.A. Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
