RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – The results of a month-long investigation into the shooting death of a bail bondsman are expected to be submitted to the District Attorney's office by the end of September, authorities said.
The investigation, conducted by the Orange County Sheriff's Department, centers on whether an 51-year-old man was justified at firing at Dean Patrick Maldonado when the bail bondsman entered the home of a Rancho Santa Margarita woman in July.
Investigators are awaiting laboratory results, said Dan Salcedo, investigator with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Officials said the shooting occurred after a loud encounter outside the21300 block of Stonetower Drive, where a woman that Maldonado was dating lived.
Maldonado and the owner of the home had an on-and-off relationship, and another man was visiting her at the house when Maldonado arrived, Salcedo said.
Officials did not say why Maldonado, of Newport Beach, drove to the Rancho Santa Margarita home just before midnight, but an argument broke out as soon as he arrived.
Maldonado began screaming outside the home, prompting at least one neighbor to call 911, Salcedo said.
A second neighbor also called police, stating that Maldonado was screaming and standing in the backyard of the house.
Maldonado allegedly walked into the house through an unlocked sliding door and into an upstairs bedroom.
The woman's friend took a handgun that was being kept in a locked box, officials said.
Officials did not identify who, but either the woman or her friend dialed 911 to report the disturbance.
Maldonado then walked into the upstairs bedroom, where the 51-year-old man fired several times into his chest.
Officials have made no arrests and have declined to release the man's name, citing an ongoing investigation.
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