News Summary
A 27-year-old man from Los Alamitos, Solomon Cottrell, was arrested for attempted murder after a reckless driving incident involving an off-duty police officer in Orange County. The situation escalated into a dangerous confrontation, leading to gunfire. Cottrell was apprehended shortly after fleeing and is currently held at Orange County Jail as the investigation continues.
Orange County Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Alarming Incident
In a shocking turn of events, a man from Los Alamitos has found himself facing serious charges after an encounter with an off-duty police officer in Orange County. Solomon Cottrell, a 27-year-old, was arrested for attempted murder following an incident that unfolded in the early hours of March 18, 2025.
The Start of a Troubling Night
The dramatic sequence of events kicked off around 2:06 a.m., when the keen-eyed off-duty officer noticed Cottrell driving in a reckless manner in a Nissan Altima. The officer became suspicious and suspected that Cottrell might be under the influence. To get a better bead on the situation, the officer began following the erratic driver while waiting for backup.
A Dangerous Chase
As the situation escalated, Cottrell took a concerning turn. Exiting the freeway at Edinger Avenue, he made a risky maneuver to turn his vehicle around—going against traffic in the process. It wasn’t long before the officer found himself in a nerve-wracking confrontation, as Cottrell began shouting obscenities at him.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, the off-duty officer tried to pull away, but Cottrell was not backing down. Instead, he began to swerve his vehicle towards the officer’s car, making the encounter all the more perilous.
Gunfire and a Quick Escape
As the officer passed Hearthstone on Irvine Center Drive, he was startled by the sound of what appeared to be a gunshot. Following this alarming noise, Cottrell made a U-turn and sped off in the opposite direction, leaving the officer stunned.
Police Response and Investigation
Backup officers arrived shortly after the unsettling incident, quickly locating a shell casing at the intersection where the gunshot had been heard. With valuable information at hand, law enforcement was able to track the erratic driver’s vehicle to the Pechanga Resort Casino located in Riverside County.
Swift Arrest
Cottrell was soon found in the casino’s parking structure, leading to his arrest. A female passenger who was in Cottrell’s car at the time was also detained but was released shortly thereafter. The police recovered a weapon that is believed to be the firearm used in the shooting from inside Cottrell’s vehicle.
Facing Serious Charges
Currently, Solomon Cottrell has been charged with attempted murder and is now being held at the Orange County Jail as the case remains under investigation. Authorities have not released further details at this stage.
Community Alert
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise from reckless behavior on the roads. The Orange County community is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to local authorities.
Anyone with additional information related to this case is urged to reach out to Detective Rebecca Steen at 949-724-7170 or via email. Stay tuned for more updates as the story develops.
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Additional Resources
- KTLA: Man Arrested for Allegedly Firing at Off-Duty Officer
- Click Orlando: 16-Year-Old to be Charged as Adult in Orange County Drive-By Shootings
- FOX LA: OC Third Striker Charged with Attempted Murder
- News4Jax: Man Charged with Attempted Murder
- Wikipedia: Attempted Murder
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Murder
