The Gilroy Police Department this weekend apprehended a Gilroy man who allegedly brandished and fired a firearm in Christmas Hill Park back in August.
Maciel Duarte, 18, was arrested without incident on Sunday, according to a press release from the GPD.
Duarte faces multiple charges, including negligent discharge of a firearm, brandishing a firearm, providing a false ID to peace officers and probation violation, the press release states.
According to the GPD, the incident where the charges stem took place on Aug, 19, when hundreds of people were gathered in the park – including some gang members, their associates and rivals. Words were exchanged and a physical fight ensued between two groups, leading Duarte to retrieve a firearm – which he brandished at rivals, causing them to leave the area, police say.
After a period of time, police say allies of the first group that originally fled arrived at the park and a second fight broke out. Duarte brandished the weapon and attempted to fire it at the second group – but the weapon malfunctioned and a single bullet became lodged in the ground.
Investigators with the GPD’s Anti-Crime Team assumed the investigation following the incident and they developed information that ultimately led to Duarte’s identification and apprehension.
Duarte is currently on active probation. In addition to the above charges, detectives with the Anti-Crime Team will prepare a gang enhancement allegation and forward the entire criminal complaint to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Detective Delfino with the Anti-Crime Team at (408) 846-0350.
