Reward offered in Redlands teen killings
REDLANDS — Police are still investigating a Jan. 5 shooting that left two teenagers dead and two others suffering from gunshot injuries.
On Wednesday, Redlands police offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects in the shooting that killed Quinn McCaleb, 18, of Redlands, and Andrew Jackson, 16.
Police say they currently have no suspect information, nor have they determined a motive for the shootings. Police Chief Jim Bueermann did state that “race was a factor.”
“I certainly don’t want to sensationalize the racial component of this, but it’s absolutely part of the investigation,” he added.
The shooting occurred in a racially diverse neighborhood. Racial tension has been present, Bueermann said.
Police arrived shortly after 7 p.m. Jan. 5 to discover McCaleb, who was found dead on the corner of Sun and Post streets, and Jackson, who was found near Post Street and taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center and pronounced dead.
Two others, Jordan Howard, who was shot in the eye, and Tequan Roberson, who was shot in the leg, were also transported to Loma Linda.
All four victims, as well as a fifth teenager that fled the scene and was not shot or injured, were residents of the immediate area.
Other than the surviving victims, police have not identified any direct witnesses. They are also seeking information about vehicles seen in the shooting area, one described as a dark green mid to late 1990s model Honda four-door sedan, along with another dark colored vehicle with shiny rims.
“We don’t know whether either vehicle was involved in the shooting,” acknowledged police spokesman Carl Baker.
Police released a sketch composite of a possible suspect. He is described as a 17- to 20-year-old Hispanic male who was wearing a black baseball cap, a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans at the time of the shooting. Police said he fled from the scene on foot.
In the violence’s aftermath, the neighborhood has been the site of prayer vigils and walk-throughs. The school district has provided grief counseling and area churches have offered similar support.
“I went to (Redlands High) school with Quinn,” said Erandy Romero, 17, a neighborhood resident. “He was a good boy. I heard his mother (Shanita Williams) going around saying, ‘This is my fault,’ … that she should’ve gotten him out of this neighborhood.
“It’s hard to see someone you know lying on the ground (dead) like that.”
Since the shooting, Redlands police have noticeably increased patrols in that area of the city, which is located about one mile west of the University of Redlands and a block north of Interstate 10.
The reward money was offered by an anonymous donor through the Redlands Community Foundation, said Baker.
