Amber Parsons, a 24-year-old woman from Costa Mesa, was tragically shot and killed while driving through a residential neighborhood in Orange, California, on May 6, 2025. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. near Highland Street and Del Mar Avenue, where Parsons was behind the wheel of her Honda SUV with a female passenger in her 20s. As they turned around in a cul-de-sac, a gunman suddenly appeared on foot and opened fire from behind their vehicle. Parsons was struck by the gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene, while her passenger remained unharmed.
Authorities later identified the suspect as 21-year-old Allan Plata, a resident of Orange. Following an investigation, police, along with SWAT Team members and La Habra police, surrounded a home in La Habra on May 9, where Plata was taken into custody without incident. He was booked at the Orange County Jail on charges of murder, attempted murder, and a probation violation. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are still working to determine whether the attack was random or targeted. Authorities noted that the area where the shooting occurred has a history of gang activity, though it is unknown if this played a role in the crime.
The deadly shooting took place at the same intersection where a separate violent incident occurred in November 2024, when a man opened fire on police officers before being apprehended after a manhunt. Police have urged anyone with information about Parsons' death to contact the Orange Police Department or provide anonymous tips through OC Crime Stoppers.
