Police responded to a gang-related shooting involving two
suspects at 5:51 p.m. Friday at the MonteBello Ridge Apartments on
Montebello Drive and Wren Avenue in Gilroy. Full story
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Today’s breaking news:
Police responded to a gang-related shooting involving two suspects at 5:51 p.m. Friday at the MonteBello Ridge Apartments on Montebello Drive and Wren Avenue in Gilroy.
While multiple rounds were fired into the quad area of the apartment complex, police say no one was struck by the gunfire.
Members of the Gilroy Police Department Anti-Crime Team were in the area and responded to the scene, where they saw suspects in a vehicle fleeing the immediate area, according to a GPD press release. Police say the suspects stopped in a commercial center near First Street and Wren Avenue, where they were detained by GPD officers.
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Numerous neighbors were outside at the time of the shooting, including children who were playing, according to the press release.
“This demonstration of bold and reckless behavior is unparalleled in our community,” wrote GPD Sgt. Joseph Deras. “The location is a high-density housing area. This took place in the afternoon with no regard for anyone’s safety.”
Although he wouldn’t describe the spike as significant, GPD Sgt. Chad Gallacinao said overall gang crimes appear to be “somewhat up” than last year.
Police determined the suspect’s target was a member of a rival gang. Firearms and other evidence have been recovered from the suspects: Jose A. Lopez, 19; John Carlos Castro, 18; and a minor whose identity has been withheld.
Gallacinao confirmed Lopez and Castro are members of the Norteno Gang, but as for their target, “we’re probably not going to comment on the rival gang,” he said.
Gallacinao said evidence confirms the suspects took aim at a specific apartment inside the complex.
Regarding protocol in handling circumstances such as this, Gallacinao explained GPD investigators will try to determine why the potential victim was being targeted by the rival gang, and if the victim was, in fact “leading a gang lifestyle.”
In terms of Gilroy locales that experience more gang activity than others, Gallacinao said gang-related incidents in the city are unpredictable and spread out.
“We’ve seen activity both in central Gilroy and on the outskirts,” he said. “It’s all over. Gang members don’t live in specific neighborhoods. They live throughout the city.”
The impact of the Nortenos – a prison gang with roots dating back 30 years – spreads throughout Northern California, according to Gallacinao, who said he “can’t even begin to speculate” the number of free-roaming Norteno “street soldiers” carrying out the work of their incarcerated counterparts.
“Every city in northern California is affected by the Norteno criminal street gang,” he said.
Gallacinao said Bakersfield is the territorial dividing line for the Nortenos and their biggest rivals, the Surenos, although “obviously there are Surenos in Northern California also,” he pointed out.
The GPD Anti-Crime Team is managing the investigation, which will be presented to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for Gang Unit prosecution, according to the press release.
The suspects have been booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on charges of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, participation in a gang-related crime, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle, reckless driving and driving without a license, according to the press release.
Bail has not been set at this time, as a magistrate will determine the appropriate bail amount upon reviewing the facts of the case, according to the press release.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call the GPD at (408) 846-0350. 

