Suspect in Slaying of 17-Year-Old to be Arraigned

An 18-year-old Fountain Valley man accused of fatally shooting a rival 17-year-old with a shotgun is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

Reda Hassan Safieddine allegedly shot Valle Valeriano, 17, of Santa Ana at about 1:20 p.m. Aug. 13 a few hours after arguing with him in a residential neighborhood near Cubbon Street and Mohawk Drive in Fountain Valley.

The two teens were members of rival tagging crews, according to police.

According to investigators, after the initial verbal confrontation, the two went their separate ways. 

Later that day, Safieddine parked in the lot of the 7-Eleven at 16475 Harbor Boulevard. According to police, Valeriano drove to the same lot, exited his vehicle and began walking toward Safieddine.

When Safieddine spotted Valeriano, prosecutors allege the 18-year-old grabbed a shotgun from the backseat of his car, exited the vehicle and fired once at Valeriano, hitting him in the neck.

The 17-year-old died at the scene. Fountain Valley Police Department officers arrested Safieddine at the crime scene.

He is charged with murder and a sentencing enhancement for discharging a personal firearm causing death. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.

Safieddine has been out of custody since Aug. 20 on $1 million bail.

He is expected to appear Friday in a Westminster courtroom.