Sketches depict shooting pair

Police on Friday released sketches of two suspects wanted for the Aug. 2 shooting death of a 23-year-old Costa Mesa man.

Israel Maciel died and four others were injured in a drive-by shooting in an alley off the 1300 block of West Baker Street. Police have not confirmed whether the shooting was gang-related.

Police are looking for a man and a woman in their 20s who were seen driving through the alley in a silver four-door Chevy Impala.

Police described the man as a light-skinned Latino with a bald or shaved head and possibly with a tattooed forearm; he is believed to have fired multiple shots at the group of people who were gathered in the alley. The woman is said to be Latina with brown, highlighted hair in a bun or ponytail, and a silver piercing on her lip.

Police did not release information about who the suspects are or their relationship to the people who were shot.

Another shooting on Aug. 17, which happened just blocks from where Maciel and the others were shot, left two Costa Mesa teenagers wounded. Police are looking for a four-door Honda Civic possibly driven by the shooters.

Police met with community members Wednesday to discuss both shootings and the rising gang violence in the city. They asked the public’s help in keeping a watch out for any suspicious behavior.

HOW TO HELP

Police ask that anyone with information about either shooting this month call the Costa Mesa Police tip hotline, (714) 754-4880. Callers may remain anonymous.