Shots Fired As Task Force Closes in on Attempted Murder Suspect

A member of a Santa Ana gang tried to escape a task force at a Lake Forest hotel and was fired upon before being taken into custody Friday afternoon.

At least three gunshots—and perhaps four—rang out in the parking lot of the Irvine Suites, where a multi-agency task force led by the United States Marshal Service had set up surveillance on the 40-year-old suspect wanted for attempted murder in Buena Park, according to Lt. Mike Gavin of the Orange County Sheriff's Investigations team.

The suspect, Lawrence Mares, and a female companion left their room inside the four-story hotel on Mercury Road and got in their vehicle, said Gavin, who indicated officers blocked off the exits and the suspect was driving "erratically" in the parking lot when he was fired upon.

Another account was that officers closed off the primary exit Mares was aiming for, so he retreated in his customized black SUV. When that closed off, he attempted another maneuver. While driving in the direction of officers, one of them fired upon the SUV, which eventually crashed into the side of the hotel stairwell with the driver's side pinned against it.

The female was not injured; Mares was treated by paramedics with a minor injury related to the crash. Both were taken into custody.

No one was struck by the bullets, which were fired by a Long Beach officer, according to authorities.

The hotel was locked down and Mercury Road blocked off as an investigation into the 4:30 p.m. incident began.

The hotel is located on Mercury between Lake Center Drive and Boeing Lane.