A 15-year-old boy who was shot while he was walking near his home in Santa Ana has died, police said Monday.
Santa Ana Police officers found Isaac Gonzalez with several gunshot wounds in the 2300 block of St. Gertrude Place around 11:50 p.m. Saturday.
He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and eventually died Sunday, his family said.
Police said the incident appears to be gang-related and that a dark-colored vehicle was seen in the area around the time of the shooting.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Gonzalez’s family pay for funeral expenses.
He was described as a “wonderful young man” who “was loved by all.” He aspired to be a professional boxer and tained at TKO Boxing Club, which was founded to offer an alternative to gang involvement.
Rachel Cruz, whose son also trains at TKO, said she spoke to Gonzalez's family following the incident.
“They said that he pushed his friend and the bullet hit him," she told KTLA. "That’s what they’re saying — there’s different stories. It’s traumatic. And the mom’s going through something really rough.”
The incident shocked other teens in the community, who were by Gonzalez's side as he fought for his life, Cruz said.
"I know he was loved by everyone because yesterday the hospital was full of children," she said. "And I say 'children' because, to me, that’s what they are. They’re 13-, 14-, 15-year-old kids.”
Cruz said she was also present after they disconnected the 15-year-old from life support.
"We saw him there laying on that bed, and I just started praying,” she recalled.
The GoFundMe page set up in Gonazlez' memory describes him as “always respectful, courteous and helpful to anyone that he interacted with, always leaving a great impression with them.”
He is survived by his parents and two younger brothers.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Detectives at 714-245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.