Man Charged With Shooting Security Guard in Laguna Hills

Man Charged With Shooting Security Guard in Laguna Hills
An Orange County sheriff's vehicle seen at a crime scene in a file photo. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
City News Service
10/19/2023
Updated:
10/19/2023
0:00

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 32-year-old Laguna Hills man was charged Oct. 19 with shooting a security guard in Laguna Hills.

Matthew Luke Pickens was charged with attempted murder with sentencing enhancements for attempted premeditated murder, discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, and inflicting great bodily injury on the victim. He was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

Deputies were dispatched about 11 a.m. Tuesday to Bridlewood Drive and Saddle Rock Place regarding the shooting, Orange County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Woodroof said. Deputies arrested the suspect in the neighborhood a short time later, according to Mr. Woodroof.

A witness to the shooting dialed 911.

The victim was a security guard, but it was unknown if he worked in the area. The victim was in a car that clearly showed the name of the security company on it, Mr. Woodroof said.

Sheriff’s investigators seized multiple weapons in Mr. Pickens’s residence and vehicle, authorities said.