Tire Business Owner Shot to Death

SANTA ANA — A 35-year-old family man with three children was shot to death in front of a group of people Wednesday evening while towing a car away from his tire business, police reported.

The victim, whom relatives identified as Rodolfo Vega of Santa Ana, was waiting to turn onto Grand Avenue about 5:30 p.m. during rush-hour traffic when a man ran up to his tow truck and shot at him at least twice, Police Sgt. Richie Murg said.

The shooting occurred several yards from the victim’s business, Vega’s Tire & Auto, at 1203 E. 3rd St. The gunman, who remains at large, was seen running from the scene and getting into a red sports car, police said.

Investigators were still interviewing witnesses late Wednesday and did not release any further details about the attack. Murg said police did not know of a motive.

“They killed my brother!” wailed Alex Vega as he stood in the middle of closed-off Grand Avenue. “He never had any problems or enemies,” he said as tears streamed down his face. “He’s never even had a traffic ticket. I don’t understand it.”

Vega said he and his slain brother are from an immigrant family of 11 children who came to Santa Ana in 1979 from Mexico.