Top brass address East Palo Alto gun violence By MATT KAPKO Bay City News Service August 5, 2005 EAST PALO ALTO -- East Palo Alto experienced the most gun violence it's seen for some time Thursday night and early this morning when a 16-year-old boy was killed and four other residents suffered gunshot wounds in four separate incidents. Another shooting that occurred early this morning resulted in no injuries and three suspects were detained, the East Palo Alto Police Department reported. East Palo Alto was dubbed the murder capital of the country in 1992 when it experienced 42 homicides, and police are doubly determined to ensure that violence doesn't reach the levels of years gone by, East Palo Alto police Chief Ron Davis said at a news conference this afternoon. Davis was joined by law enforcement brass from throughout San Mateo County as he discussed joint efforts that are underway to help thwart this recent rise in gun violence. "Last night was a tragic night,'' he said. "We're going to stay the course.'' Last night's killing was the eighth homicide in East Palo Alto this year, he said. Police said it's too early in the investigation to determine if the five incidents were related, however, it appears some of the shootings may have been related. "There's evidence to suggest that all five incidents may not be independent'' of each other, Davis said. The first shooting occurred at 7:43 p.m. Thursday in the 1100 block of Laurel Avenue, police reported. A 23-year-old East Palo Alto man suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest and has since been treated and released from the hospital. The second shooting occurred at 8:55 p.m. Thursday in the 2100 block of Capitol Avenue, according to police. A 50-year-old East Palo Alto man suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg and a 17-year-old victim suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg. The 50-year-old victim has since been treated and released from the hospital and the 17-year-old victim is being treated for a broken ankle, police report. Jorge Hernandez, 16, was shot and killed at 10:43 p.m. Thursday at 1761 Woodland Ave., according to police. He was pronounced dead upon his arrival at a hospital. Police aren't releasing many details of the shooting, but it appears the boy was sitting on a bike and got into a brief confrontation with a group of suspects in a vehicle before he was shot, police reported. Davis heard the fourth shooting at 1:56 a.m. today when he was leaving a gas station at Hamilton Avenue and Willow Road near the border of Menlo Park after purchasing a Diet Coke -- hoping the night of violence had come to an end. Davis said he heard six to eight gunshots ring out as he entered his unmarked police car. As the chief pursued the suspects, he witnessed two guns being thrown outside the vehicle. The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop and all three occupants of the vehicle were arrested, he said. The suspects are two East Palo Alto residents and a Redwood City resident, ages 18, 19 and 21, according to police. Two weapons, a 20-gauge shotgun and an SKS assault rifle, were recovered, according to police. The fifth shooting occurred at 3:10 a.m. today at the ntersection of Alberni Street and Jervis Avenue, police reported. A 21-year-old East Palo Alto resident suffered a gunshot wound to his left calf. He has since been treated and released from the hospital, according to police. The California Department of Justice is expected to finish a three-year crime analysis of East Palo Alto next week, which Davis expects to help law enforcement determine what more can be done. "The law enforcement community will do everything within our power to protect our residents,'' San Mateo County District Attorney Jim Fox said at the news conference. He made a personal plea for residents to assist police in their efforts and report anything that could help law enforcement in making arrests and prosecuting violent criminals. Davis urged residents not to feel overwhelmed by fear in their community. Like terrorism, he said, if violent criminals convince residents to stay indoors and be afraid to walk their streets after night, the criminals have won. "We're a team. We work together,'' he said. Home