Police arrested a Norte
ño gang member and convicted felon for shooting a person on
Southgate Court last year, police said.
Police arrested a Norteño gang member and convicted felon for shooting a person on Southgate Court last year, police said.
At 9:33 p.m. Oct. 27, Edward Lopez, 28, and several other unidentified individuals drove through the short Southgate Court in south Gilroy, police said. “Without provocation,” Lopez fired multiple bullets at a juvenile and at least one other person. The juvenile, who had just arrived and was near the sidewalk in front of his home, was struck by at least one of the bullets, police said.
After the incident, police collected unspecified forensic evidence and identified Lopez as a suspect, police said. Investigator Mark Tarasco then recently lobbied Judge Ray Cunningham of the Santa Clara County Superior Court for an arrest warrant, which Cunningham granted, police said. The judge set Lopez’s bail at $1 million.
About three hours after police secured the warrant, at 3:45 p.m. Friday, they found Lopez in Christmas Hill Park and arrested him, police said.
Lopez could serve 25 years to life in connection with the shooting, and could serve an additional 10 years because the act was done in affiliation with a gang, police said. He was booked for shooting causing bodily injury and participation in a criminal act in association with, at the direction of or for the benefit of a criminal street gang, police said.
Lopez had been arrested for sales of narcotics and possession of a firearm in December, police said. Lopez was out on bail at the time of his most recent arrest, police said.
Police also used the arrest as an opportunity to take a hard-line stance on crime.
“Individuals who choose to lead a life of crime, intimidation and find the gang lifestyle appealing will be vigorously pursued by the Gilroy Police (Department),” police said in a statement. “We are dedicated to preserving a community that is free of that type of reckless behavior that puts our community members in peril and fear.”
