Police are searching for unknown assailants who fired a shotgun
at a family’s garage in south Gilroy
– the latest incident in a wave of violence that has city
residents and officials on edge.
chris bone – staff writer
cb***@gi************.com
Gilroy
Police are searching for unknown assailants who fired a shotgun at a family’s garage in south Gilroy – the latest incident in a wave of violence that has city residents and officials on edge.
The apparent drive-by shooting comes after a week of gang-related attacks, during which 18-year-old Larry Martinez Jr. was gunned down on the sidewalk in daylight and a drive-by shooting jolted residents just days later. Police have not made any arrests in the killing but did arrest three suspects hours after last week’s drive-by.
Sunday morning’s shooting on the 100 block of Southgate Court doesn’t appear to be gang-related or linked to previous incidents because the targeted family has no known gang ties.
“At this point, there is no evidence to suggest that this crime was gang-related, but we’re definitely exploring that possibility,” Sgt. Jim Gillio said.
The city council and residents will explore Gilroy’s recent uptick in violence at a town hall meeting Thursday. In addition, Police Chief Denise Turner was set to address the council Monday night and a group of community groups are planning a peace march Thursday afternoon at St. Mary’s Church, near the corner of Church and First streets.
About 1 a.m. Sunday, a couple home noticed a gray Cadillac sedan with tinted windows cruising past their home, police said. Minutes later, multiple shots rang out. Nobody was injured, but police reported that an unknown number of rounds hit the couple’s garage door.
Officers nearby heard the shots at the time, and several parties also called 911 as police rushed to the scene, Gillio said.
There were no signs of the shooting Monday afternoon.
The incident came a day after community activists passed out flyers along IOOF Avenue near Monterey Street, near where Thursday’s drive-by shooting occurred. The activists have banded together hoping to highlight services at-risk and troubled youth can turn to instead of gangs, as well as the planned peace rally.
In other efforts, Councilman Craig Gartman asked Police Chief Denise Turner Wednesday evening to attend Monday’s council meeting. The request came hours before a fight marred the end of Larry Martinez’s candle-lit vigil. Police showed up too late to apprehend any of the suspects.
Having officers at every gathering would take away from other services residents expect from the police, and the department has no intention of telling mourners they can’t gather, Sgt. Chad Gallicinao said Friday.
“Tensions are high and people are still in shock,” Gallicinao said. “We can’t dedicate officers just to (gatherers) because we have other services to offer the community, and everybody has their constitutional right of freedom of assembly. It’s a very fine balance where we find ourselves in.”
To help restore Gilroy’s balance, police have stepped up their street presence, and overtime. However, the 15 people who came up with the march idea did so on their own.
“We need to get out in front of all this violence,” said one community activist who would not give his name for fear of retribution. “We need to remind these kids that the community groups offer services.”
“Basically the devil has them all twisted up,” said one former gang member who began working at Victory Outreach in January after he said he found Jesus Christ. Growing up without a father or community programs, he fell victim to his surroundings – drugs, violence and popular culture’s glorification of them – he said.
“God is the answer. Jesus Christ. Love,” the 22-year-old said. He had been in a gang since he was 14, but he said he serves the Lord now.
While police have not been involved in the grassroots community effort, the department stands ready to help, Gallicinao said.
“I wish we would also be included so we could help them make right choices as far as planning, logistics and safety measures,” Gallicinao said. “We know we can get so much further as a community by working together, but sometimes people view the police negatively.”
Councilman Peter Arellano has been corresponding with the community groups. The elected official has deep ties with Voz de la Gente, which has coordinated with four other community groups.
Former gang members and Martinez’s family members also attended a meeting last week, during which people surmised the tit-for-tat violence likely comes from high-ranking gang members behind bars in San Jose who give direction to younger members.
Earlier this year police reconstituted the “Lucky 7” program, in which police, detectives and probation officers work together to reform and catch known offenders. The roster of gang members, vandals, burglars, parolees, repeat offenders and fugitives highlights faces and names for officers to remember while patrolling.
“We’re looking at updating the Lucky 7 program to reflect the needs of investigations,” Gallicinao said. Although none of the three suspects arrested Thursday in connection with the drive-by shooting was on the Lucky 7 list, police did arrest a listed, known gang member earlier this week.
Two of three suspects arrested in connection with Thursday’s drive-by shooting – Joshua Williams and Israel Juarez, both 18 – will appear at the Santa Clara County Superior Courthouse in San Martin 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25. The third arrested suspect, Gabriel Juarez, 23, is no longer in custody, according to online prison records.
