23-year-old Man Charged with Murder for Shooting, Killing Mother in Her Car Parked in Front of Fullerton Police Station on Fourth of July, Leaving Her Body in Her Car in Church[...]

23-year-old Man Charged with Murder for Shooting,
Killing Mother in Her Car Parked in Front of Fullerton Police Station on Fourth of July,
Leaving Her Body in Her Car in Church Parking Lot
Woman reported missing after she failed to pick up her grandchild.

SANTA ANA - A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder for shooting his mother in the back while she was in the drivers' seat of her car parked in front of the Fullerton Police Department on the Fourth of July and then leaving her body inside of her car parked at a church where she was discovered a week later.

Emmanuel Wesley, 23, of Santa Ana, has been charged with one felony count of murder and a felony enhancement for discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury or death. He faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life if convicted on all charges.

61-year-old Theresa Jones was reported missing to the Fullerton Police Department on July 7, 2026, after she failed to pick up her grandchild and did not answer repeated calls. On July 11, 2026, Jones' body was discovered in the passenger seat of her vehicle which was parked in a Fullerton church parking lot. She suffered from two gunshot wounds to her back.

Video surveillance shows Jones' vehicle pulling up to the Fullerton Police Department on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at about 2:46 p.m. with Jones in the driver's seat. An individual later identified as Wesley is seen getting out of the back seat after Jones slumps over. He is accused of pushing her into the passenger seat and getting into the driver's seat and driving away.

An investigation by the Fullerton Police Department led to the arrest of Wesley on suspicion of murder. He has pleaded not guilty, and he is currently being held on no bail at the Orange County Jail.

"The death of any human being is a tragedy," said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. "For someone to kill their own mother is another level of depravity. We will do everything we can to pursue justice for Ms. Jones and everyone who loved her."

Senior Deputy District Attorney Mallory Miller of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Click here for full press release.