A 28-year-old man from Orange County with two previous felony convictions is facing life in prison for allegedly firing on undercover gang officers in an unmarked car last week, officials announced Wednesday.
The shootout, according to a news release from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, unfolded on Nov. 21 in the city of Orange.
Prosecutors say Victor Manuel Trinidad spotted the Orange Police Department officers as they were driving through a “gang neighborhood,” and shouted, “What’s up, homie, where you from?” and grabbed something from his waistband.
The officers, who recognized Trinidad from prior contact with him left the area and returned 20 minutes later with an Orange County probation officer to conduct a search on the 28-year-old, who they believed to be armed with a firearm.
“The two officers quickly located Trinidad, who began aggressively walking toward the unmarked police vehicle and throwing up his hands,” the release stated. “As the two undercover Orange officers got out of their vehicle, Trinidad opened fire on the officers.”