SAN JOSE — Eight people, including a minor, were arrested this week in connection with a deadly June shooting that unfolded in downtown San Jose near the primary entertainment zone for World Cup festivities, police announced Friday.
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The shooting, which investigators allege was gang related, was reported at 9:12 p.m. on June 28 near Market and Santa Clara streets, according to San Jose police. Responding officers found a man unconscious on the sidewalk who pronounced dead at the scene moments later. He was identified as Anthony Contreras, 24, of San Jose.
A second man injured by the gunfire was found several yards away; he was rushed to a hospital in critical condition but was later stabilized and expected to survive. While the shooting occurred near one of the main gathering points for massive World Cup watch parties, it was several hours after the last match of the day, which was held in Los Angeles, not at nearby Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
An ensuing police investigation that drew on surveillance cameras and license-plate readers identified vehicles linked to the shooting suspects. On Wednesday, San Jose police arrested eight San Jose residents in connection with the killing.
According to a criminal complaint filed Friday, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder against Izaiah Hernandez, 18, who detectives have identified as the shooter; Fabian Diaz-Gomez, 18; Jaden Diaz-Mejia, 18; Ezequiel Mercado, 20; Johnny Picazo, 36; and a 17-year-old San Jose resident.
The second attempted murder relates to a reported victim who was a target of the shooting but who was not hit, authorities said. All of the murder defendants were also charged with gang conspiracy and participating in a criminal street gang.
Two more defendants were also identified: Sabastian Saldana, 34, was charged with being an accessory after allegedly helping Hernandez elude arrest; he and Nevaeh Luna-Rosales, 18, were also charged with a gang participation crime.
A precise motive for the shooting was not detailed in available court documents or by police, which said the circumstances of the attack “are still under investigation.”
Anyone with information about the shooting can contact the SJPD homicide unit at 408-277-5283, or email Detective Sgt. Richard Martinez at [email protected] or Detective Christina Jize at [email protected]. Tips can also be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.
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