The five young men accused of shooting and killing Tara Romero
and wounding three other teens in a drive-by attack earlier this
year will be in court for plea hearings this week.
The five young men accused of shooting and killing Tara Romero and wounding three other teens in a drive-by attack earlier this year will be in court for plea hearings this week.
Esmeling Bahena, 18 of Morgan Hill; Ricardo Diaz, 19 of Morgan Hill; Fernando Mateo Lopez, 20 of Gilroy; Primitivo Hernandez, 23 of San Jose; and Ramon Gutierrez, 17 of Morgan Hill will appear at the Santa Clara County Criminal Hall of Justice in San Jose at 2 p.m. Thursday, according to District Attorney’s office spokeswoman Lisa McCrary.
All five are charged with murder and attempted murder, with enhancements for their alleged gang-related intent.
Police say the five suspects drove by the corner of Del Monte and Cosmo avenues, just outside the Village Avante apartment complex, in a single car the night of Nov. 4. As they drove by, they unloaded several rounds at a group of teens standing on a grassy knoll next to the sidewalk, and continued driving past the scene.
An officer on patrol in the area saw the car blow through a stop sign on Spring Avenue and immediately turned around to pursue it, police said. By the time he caught up to the car at a Barnell Avenue residence, he heard about the shooting on the radio.
The officer called for backup, and police from Morgan Hill, Gilroy, the sheriff’s office and California Highway Patrol surrounded the home and contained traffic, authorities said. Police were able to safely arrest all five suspects.
Found at the home were a .22-caliber revolver and a loaded SKS assault rifle, police said.
While the suspects are believed to be members of a Sureno street gang and committed the crime for the gang’s overall benefit, police do not think the victims were involved in any gang-related activity.
The teens had just left a birthday party at the Morgan Hill Community Park, which is adjacent to the intersection where the shooting happened, and were on their way home to other parts of town, according to police and witness statements.
Romero, 14, was pronounced dead at the scene when paramedics arrived, police said.
Also shot were Alicia Sotelo, 14 of San Jose; Rosa Castaneda, 14 of San Jose; and Chris Loredo, 15 of Morgan Hill.
Castaneda was shot in the stomach and was in critical condition for several days following the shooting. However, she has improved significantly in recent days, and is expected to be able to return home this week, according to her aunt Brenda Martinez.
“She’s awesome – she’s walking, and she showered,” Martinez said.
Multiply tragic for Castaneda, her mother Lupe C. Sanchez died of liver failure Nov. 12, while the teen was in a medically induced coma fighting infections from the shooting. Castaneda’s family told her just recently that her mother died.
“She took it very hard,” said Martinez, who plans to show the teen some videos of Sanchez’ funeral when she returns home this week.
“She just wants to be home. She’s getting lonely in (the hospital),” Martinez said.
Sotelo was shot in the leg. While she was released from the hospital a few days after the shooting, she was readmitted in late November due to an infection in the wound that required a series of surgeries, Martinez said.
Sotelo had a surgery Monday, and has two more scheduled for later this week, Martinez said.
Following the shooting, friends and family of Romero’s organized a series of heavily-attended fundraisers and community events to help out the Sobrato High School freshman’s mother and to memorialize the fallen teen.
Romero’s family announced on Facebook a community event scheduled for Jan. 13 at the Sobrato High School theater. The event, titled “Your Words have Power 2012,” will focus on improving the community for the youth and feature a concert, art show and words from the teen’s family and friends.
The event will also raise money to produce a new, recurring public event for Morgan Hill’s youth, according to a message posted on the “RIP Tara Romero” Facebook page.
