Santa Ana man fatally shot while walking

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A 22-year-old man was fatally shot in a Santa Ana neighborhood early Sunday morning.

The shooting occurred in the 200 block of South Newhope Street at 2:35 a.m., according to Santa Ana police Cmdr. Enrique Esparza.

An occupant in a silver-sport utility vehicle opened fire, striking Leonicio Banuelos, 22, of Santa Ana as he walked southbound on the east side of Newhope Street. Banuelos was struck in the upper torso.

"Detectives believe the victim walked to his residence in the 300 block of South Newhope and police were called," according to a department statement.

Banuelos was transported to UCI Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation is ongoing. It remains unclear if the shooting was gang-related. Anyone with any information regarding the shooting was urged to contact Santa Ana police at (714) 245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.

CNS contributed to this report.