Full Notification

SANTA ANA POLICE SEEK THE HELP OF MEDIA AND COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY AND APPREHEND SUSPECTS IN AN ATTEMPT- MURDER THAT OCCURRED

On Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at about 1206 hours Santa Ana Police Department patrol officers were dispatched to a shooting call at 2823 S. Bristol St. The location is a County Adult Education Center. A male adult student was shot by an unknown suspect while outside of the school on his lunch break. The motive for the shooting is believed to be gang rivalry.

The student suffered life threatening injuries and continues to recover.

The case was assigned to the Gang Homicide Unit for investigation. After a lengthy investigation the shooting suspect was identified. Bryant Islas, age 28, of Santa Ana a documented criminal street gang member and parolee was arrested on October 7, 2011 by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Fugitive Apprehension Team and Gang Suppression detectives. Suspect Islas was booked on attempt murder and gang enhancement charges, with no bail.

Through the investigation it was discovered that Mr. Islas was supposed to be in the custody of a California Department of Correction & Rehabilitation In-Custody drug treatment center. Islas escaped from the center and committed the shooting; after the shooting he returned to the center. Islas again escaped the next day and did not return to the center. The investigation revealed possible security procedure violations at the center and all parolees in the custody of the center have been removed from the property and reassigned to various other centers. Detectives believe several other suspects were involved in this incident and seek the public’s assistance for information. Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Ana Police Department’s Gang Unit at 714 245-8648. The department’s Gang Homicide/Assault reward applies to this incident and up to $50,000 may be awarded for information.