2 Men Arrested In Stabbing Death Of OC 19-Year-Old

COSTA MESA, CA — Two Orange County men were arrested Thursday after being involved in a fatal stabbing in Costa Mesa that police said they believed was gang-related.

Israel Antonio Valencia, 25, and Christopher Mathew Pena, 18, were arrested Wednesday, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.

They are accused of killing a 22-year-old man in Costa Mesa. The identity of the victim was not released.

Officers responded to a knife attack in the 1700 block of Placentia Avenue, near 17th Street, at about 11 p.m. Tuesday. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

While investigating the fatal stabbing, police found a 19-year-old man who had been attacked earlier at Placentia Avenue and Shalimar Drive. The second victim, who was taken to a hospital by family members, was believed to have been attacked by the same suspect.

Police suspect the attacks were gang-related.

Anyone who may have helpful information for police on the stabbings was asked to call Detective Ramon Hernandez at 714-754-5097.