East Palo Alto police have arrested two youths for murder related to the fatal June 13 shooting of a 15-year-old boy, interim police Chief Jeff Liu said on Friday.
The East Palo Alto Police Department, in partnership with the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, San Mateo County Sheriff’s SWAT Team and Palo Alto Police Department SWAT Team, served two search warrants on Thursday morning, June 16, in East Palo Alto and Palo Alto and arrested the pair. Both were booked into Juvenile Hall Thursday, Liu said.
Law enforcement officers seized a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine at one of the youths' homes. The names and photos of the defendants are not being released because they are minors, Liu said.
Police were tipped off to the crime on June 13 at 9:04 p.m. by the activation of the city's Shotspotter audio detection system on the 1900 block of Manhattan Avenue. Officers located a 15-year-old victim near the alley between Manhattan and Euclid Avenue suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers applied first aid before paramedics transported him to the hospital. He died of his injuries.
The suspects are the two males who had been seen running toward Woodland Avenue after the shooting.
"The presence of privately owned surveillance cameras and the availability of the footage made the arrests of the suspects and the seizure of the firearm in this case possible," Liu said.
"What is especially troubling is that these suspects showed no remorse after being taken into custody. It's especially troubling considering their young ages and their total disregard for life," Liu said by phone on Friday.
Police are still actively seeking witnesses who might know about or have witnessed the shooting or the events before and after the homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call acting Cmdr. Angel Sanchez at 650-853-3154. Anonymous tips can also be emailed to epa@tipnow.org or texted or left via voicemail at 650-409-6792.
Comments
Registered user
Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jun 21, 2022 at 7:04 am
Registered user
on Jun 21, 2022 at 7:04 am
"The presence of privately owned surveillance cameras and the availability of the footage made the arrests of the suspects and the seizure of the firearm in this case possible," Liu said.
The sheriff's office should require background checks and 20 hours mandatory training about privacy laws, camera laws, and stalking/harassment laws for residents participating in a voluntary camera share. Right now the sheriff will probably take camera footage from any one of the dozens of residents who abuse their tech to stalk so-called "suspects" on the internet and in public, including residents who become so enraged at pedestrians that resemble a suspect on their camera that they are willing to threaten with weapons or threaten unnecessary legal action. The sheriff's office is actually demonstrating their incompetency and promoting camera mobs. I have been violently threatened and/or assaulted on a monthly basis in the area - often in front of local security cameras. Those suspects usually get caught for separate,unrelated crimes weeks or months later. The sheriff's office appears to be neglectful or incompetent in all those incidents. This story is actually alarming.
I can get all the info I need about area crime by spending time outdoors.
Registered user
Menlo Park: other
on Jun 21, 2022 at 2:38 pm
Registered user
on Jun 21, 2022 at 2:38 pm
NA:
There is ZERO expectation of privacy when in public. That means you can be recorded when in public and the video shared with whomever the recorder pleases. It's not "stalking". I suggest you look up the actual language of the stalking laws and educate yourself. You should also look at the Supreme court decisions that established the lack of an expectation of privacy in public. The Sheriff's department is using a useful tool to do their job.
Registered user
Menlo Park: The Willows
on Jun 27, 2022 at 11:56 am
Registered user
on Jun 27, 2022 at 11:56 am
Exactly what MenloVoter said. The sheriff's department is using a tool and using it well. The camera owners are voluntarily giving the footage to the police, as they can not force the users to give it up without a subpoena which I suspect would be very difficult to obtain. Anytime you are out in public expect your actions are being recorded and act appropriately. I am willing to bet there are thousands of Ring Doorbells recording in Menlo Park alone as well as lots of home security systems with cameras. They are a very useful tool for catching illegal activities and helping prevent break-ins and other property crimes.
If you are violently threatened or assaulted on a monthly basis, I would first wonder what exactly you are doing, but I would recommend you call the police the next time that happens as violent threats or physical assault is illegal,