A teenager was arrested in Huntington Beach on Friday night after allegedly shooting a man with a flare gun, leading to the victim’s death. The incident occurred around 8:40 p.m. near the intersection of Florida Street and Utica Avenue, prompting a swift response from the Huntington Beach Police Department.
When officers arrived, they found the victim, identified as 29-year-old Jose Manuel Nares of Huntington Beach, with a gunshot wound. Despite receiving medical attention and being rushed to a hospital, Nares succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect, whose name has not been released due to being a minor, fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by responding officers. Police also recovered the flare gun used in the shooting. The teenager has since been booked into Orange County Juvenile Hall.
Authorities noted that flare guns can be dangerous, as they can cause serious injuries and can be modified to shoot different types of ammunition. In a related case from 2021, a man in Auburn, Washington, died after being shot with a modified flare gun.
Detectives believe this shooting was an isolated incident and assured the community that there is no ongoing threat. They are urging anyone with video footage or additional information about the event to contact the Huntington Beach Police Department.