Police say they are making progress in the investigation of a
gang-related shooting Friday afternoon that sent two teens to the
hospital with multiple pellet wounds from a possible shotgun blast.
Though no arrests have yet been made, police are piecing together
information and have released suspect descriptions.
Gilroy – Police say they are making progress in the investigation of a gang-related shooting Friday afternoon that sent two teens to the hospital with multiple pellet wounds from a possible shotgun blast. Though no arrests have yet been made, police are piecing together information and have released suspect descriptions.
“Officially, it’s still under investigation,” said Sgt. Kurt Svardal. “We’re working on it. Give us some time.”
The Anti-Crime Team was in the office Monday piecing together witness testimonies and researching the backgrounds of the 14- and 16-year-old males who were shot in the parking lot in front of the D Mart on Chestnut Street.
Family members of the victims have said the shooters were members of the Sureño gang, but deny that either victim is a member of the rival Norteño gang.
Evidence collectors returned to the scene Monday to draw sketches and take additional measurements. Police released descriptions for two of the suspects.
Both suspects are described as Hispanic males. One suspect is described as 18 to 19 years old, between 5 feet five inches and 5 feet 7 inches about 140 pounds, with very short hair and a dark complexion, wearing blue pants with a faded blue jersey. The second suspect is said to be heavyset and was wearing a white T-shirt, tan pants and a charcoal gray hat. The suspects left the scene driving a late ’80s model tan Honda Accord.
The victims were flown to San Jose hospitals where the 16-year-old underwent surgery Friday night. The 14-year-old was released over the weekend.
“They have both released statements to us,” Svardal said. “We talked with them the night of the shooting. We’ve got to take care of their medical needs (first).”
According to police, there was a verbal altercation between the two suspects and the victims in the parking lot shortly after 4pm.
The suspects returned with a gun and fired a single shot at a distance under 25 feet, police said. Both victims suffered pellet wounds in the back. The 16-year-old victim took the brunt of the blast, sustaining more than 20 pellet wounds his left arm and back.
“We’re writing this up as an attempted murder,” Svardal said.
Anyone with information about the shooting may call the Gilroy Police Department at 846-0350 or the anonymous tip line at 846-8018.
