Hard Reality if Real Housewife's Son Convicted of Newport Area Shooting

NEWPORT BEACH, CA—The son of a former "Real Housewives of Orange County" star faces additional criminal charges that, if he is convicted, would now mandate a lengthy life sentence, a prosecutor said today.

Joshua Michael Waring, 27, of San Juan Capistrano, was originally charged in June with three counts of attempted murder with sentencing enhancement allegations for inflicting great bodily injury and for the personal use of a firearm.

Now the attempted murder charges are alleged to have been done with premeditation and deliberation, which would mandate a life sentence, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Aleta Bryant.

In addition, Waring is also charged with single counts each of shooting at an inhabited house at 2959 Babb St., car theft, evading police while driving recklessly, and three counts of assault with a firearm, all felonies. Waring is also charged with misdemeanor counts of hit and run with property damage, resisting arrest and battery.

Waring, being held on $1 million bail, also faces sentencing enhancement allegations for inflicting great bodily injury and for the personal use of a firearm.

Waring is accused of shooting 35-year-old Daniel Lopez in the lower body at 2:20 a.m., June 20, at a single-family home, according to Costa Mesa police.

Waring also is accused of attempted murder against two other victims, identified only in court papers as Ronald D and Jennifer M. They were standing in the doorway of the home when Waring allegedly opened fire from an SUV, according to a law enforcement source.

Witnesses identified Waring as the gunman and said he fled in a white 2011 BMW X3 that was later reported as stolen, police alleged.

An Orange County sheriff's deputy in a helicopter spotted the SUV at about 10:30 a.m., June 20, near Standard and McFadden avenues in Santa Ana, police said. When Santa Ana police officers approached Waring, he allegedly got into the vehicle and led police on a chase.

Waring got into a collision during the pursuit and eventually jumped out of the vehicle and tried to run away near Fourth and Terminal streets, police said. He holed up in a business nearby, but surrendered following a brief standoff, police said.

Police said evidence related to the shooting was found in the vehicle, but the gun was not recovered.
Waring's mother, Lauri Peterson, was a cast member of the Bravo documentary series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" from its debut in 2006 until 2008, when she left to deal with her son's problems.
Waring has a lengthy, recent criminal history.

He has five other cases pending in Orange County Superior Court that mostly involve misdemeanor drug possession charges.

Waring also faces a misdemeanor charge of touching an intimate part of another person on Aug. 22. In another felony case, he was charged with identity theft, resisting arrest and possession of drugs with the intent to sell.

If convicted at trial, Waring could face more than 80 years to life in prison, Bryant said.

City News Service, Shutterstock Photo