Full Notification

COSTA MESA, Calif. (July 13, 2022) – Early this morning, July 13, 2022, at approximately 5:18 a.m., Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) officers responded to a burglary alarm in the 2200 block of Newport Boulevard.  Upon arrival, officers discovered a glass door to the business was shattered. Officers heard noises coming from inside the business and saw a suspect, later identified as Hugo Standley Vargas, 35, LKA Corona, in the lobby area. Vargas was armed with a knife and officers ordered him to drop the weapon, making several attempts to de-escalate Vargas’s actions. Vargas ignored multiple commands and retreated further inside the business. As Vargas retreated back into an office, officers could no longer see him. 
 
Officers, armed with a less lethal device, were at the entrance of the business and preparing to order Vargas out of the office when he suddenly exited the office. Officers saw Vargas was now armed with a rifle and was quickly advancing toward them. Officers, fearing for their safety and wanting to stop the threat Vargas created, discharged their duty weapons. Vargas was struck multiple times and dropped the rifle. 
 
Officers secured the scene and administered aid to Vargas. Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department paramedics responded to the scene and Vargas was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated. Vargas is currently in stable condition and is expected to survive. 
 
As per protocol, the Orange County District Attorney Special Assignments Unit responded to the scene and will handle this officer involved shooting investigation. The scene is currently being processed and this is an active investigation. CMPD officers were not injured during this incident.  
 
Vargas was later taken into custody for multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon upon a police officer, commercial burglary, and felon in possession of a firearm.
 
Anyone who may have additional information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Eric Fricke at 714-754-4908, or [email protected] or Sergeant Jose Morales at 714-754-4933.