Santa Ana man killed, body dumped in residential neighborhood

The body of a 24-year-old Santa Ana man was found dumped in a residential neighborhood after an apparent fight, police said Wednesday.

Gustavo Avalos Salazar sustained visible injuries to his upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics in the 1000 block of Walnut Street.

An autopsy is expected to be completed Wednesday afternoon, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

“It was not a shooting, it was not a stabbing, so what caused it I don’t know,” Bertagna said. “It’s not gang-related.”

Santa Ana detectives believe Salazar was in a fight near West Edinger Avenue and South Flower Street before he died. The intersection is a mix of residences and businesses, including a strip mall.

Salazar “was then taken by car to Walnut Street where they dumped the victim out of the vehicle,” Bertagna said.

A witness called police at about 9:45 p.m. after seeing Salazar’s body.

The Santa Ana police are asking that anyone with information call detectives at (714) 245-8390.

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