Police Say Drug Deal Goes Bad in Irvine, 1 Stabbed, 1 Arrested – Orange County Register

An 18-year-old man suspected of stabbing a man to death at an Irvine park while trying to steal fentanyl from him has been arrested, police said Sunday, Feb.

Irvine police lieutenant Bill Bingham said the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening. He arranged a meeting at Orchard Park, 1 Van Buren, to sell fentanyl to Irvine resident Eric Quintanilla on Friday, February 4.

They sat in the victim’s car around 1 p.m., when Quintanilla allegedly demanded the pills without paying. When the victim refused, the suspect stabbed the victim several times in the neck, Bingham said.

Bingham said: “Quintanilla fled the scene and the victim returned to Santa Ana, where he sought treatment by paramedics.

The victim reported the fatal stabbing to Santa Ana police. Detectives located Quintanilla at his home on Saturday. Police said he was arrested at the Orange County Jail and held without bail.

Bingham said stabbing victims could face drug-related charges.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Irvine police at mmahmood@cityofirvine.org.