In the quiet heart of Costa Mesa, California, a vibrant community was shattered by a senseless act of violence on Saturday, August 9, 2025. At approximately 12:30 p.m., the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) received a frantic call reporting a stabbing in the 700 block of Shalimar Drive, a residential street nestled off Pomona Avenue in the city’s downtown. What officers discovered upon arrival was a scene that would haunt the community: a 15-year-old girl, lying on the ground, clinging to life with at least one devastating stab wound. Despite the heroic efforts of officers and paramedics, who performed CPR and rushed her to a nearby hospital, the young girl succumbed to her injuries just hours later. Her name, withheld due to her age and the delicate nature of the investigation, has become a silent cry for justice in a city now grappling with grief.
The CMPD moved swiftly, their investigation revealing a chilling detail: the attack was gang-related, a stark reminder of the undercurrents of violence that occasionally ripple through this tight-knit neighborhood. Detectives worked tirelessly, piecing together witness accounts and scouring surveillance footage to identify the suspect. By Saturday evening, their efforts bore fruit. In a coordinated operation with Anaheim police, authorities located and arrested 31-year-old Matthew Juarez, an alleged gang member, at his residence in Anaheim. Juarez was apprehended without incident and booked into jail on suspicion of murder, marking a critical step toward accountability in this tragic case.
Yet, as the community mourns, questions linger like shadows. Authorities have not yet clarified whether Juarez and the young victim knew each other, nor have they disclosed the events that led to this horrific act. The weapon used in the stabbing remains undescribed, and no additional suspects have been named. What is clear, however, is the profound impact this loss has had on Shalimar Drive, a neighborhood already familiar to police due to prior gang-related incidents. Residents, shaken by the brutality of the crime, have voiced their anguish and frustration, with many calling for unity and stronger measures to shield the city’s youth from the grip of violence.
The victim’s family, enveloped in unimaginable sorrow, is receiving support from victim services as they navigate this devastating loss. The CMPD, meanwhile, continues its relentless pursuit of answers, urging anyone with information to come forward. Detectives Peralta and Molina, reachable at 714-754-5039 and 714-754-5694 respectively, stand ready to hear from witnesses, while anonymous tips can be submitted through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or online. Each piece of information, no matter how small, could be the key to unraveling the full story behind this tragedy.
As Costa Mesa reels from the loss of a young life, the community’s resolve strengthens. Local leaders and residents alike are rallying for change, determined to address the root causes of violence that threaten their youth. The memory of a 15-year-old girl, whose future was stolen in an instant, now fuels a collective call for justice and healing. In the days ahead, the focus remains not only on holding those responsible accountable but also on forging a safer, more united Costa Mesa—one where no family has to endure such heartbreak again.
