A murder charge was filed Wednesday against a 31-year-old transient accused of gunning down his former employer in the victim’s Costa Mesa auto repair shop.
Francisco Javier Castaneda, whose last known address was in Santa Ana, also faces sentence-enhancing allegation of discharge of a firearm causing death, according to court records.
A customer at Gary’s Automotive at 1995 Harbor Blvd. called police about 3:20 p.m. Monday to report that she found the owner, 60-year-old Garbis Yaghlagian of Huntington Beach, slumped over in his office, said Roxi Fyad, a spokeswoman for the Costa Mesa Police Department.
Castaneda formerly worked for Yaghlagian and was seen leaving the repair shop after a “loud bang” was heard, Fyad alleged.
Castaneda was found nearby at Victoria Street and Harbor Boulevard and was booked on suspicion of murder, she said.
Castaneda, who listed his occupation as mechanic, was being held in lieu of $1 million bail, according to jail records.
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