Man shot to death A Huntington...

Man shot to death

A Huntington Beach man died in an alley in the Oakview

neighborhood Monday of a gunshot wound to the upper chest.

The body of 19-year-old Ernest Duarte was found in an alley near

the intersection of Koledo Lane and Mandrell Drive early Monday

morning. Police believe the murder may be gang related and suspect

that Duarte may be a gang member, said Huntington Beach Police Sgt.

Gary Meza.

In a city that was recently named the safest large city in Orange

County, and has boasted zero homicides for the past two years,

Duarte’s murder is the fourth in the city this year -- all of which

police suspect were gang related.

Police received several calls from residents saying they heard

what sounded like gunshots in the area, Meza said.

When officers arrived at the scene they found Duarte’s body.

Police have no suspects in the murder at this time, but two men

wearing dark-colored clothing were seen running from the area, Meza

added.

Police are asking for the public’s help in this murder. Anyone

with information should call the Huntington Beach Police Department

at (714) 375-5066.