San Jose police investigating spate of violent crimes

by Susie Fowkes , August 23, 2012

Once proudly known as the safest big city in America, San Jose is having one of its most violent years in recent history with a rash of homicides occurring within days of each other.

Northwood park playground, where a recent homicide victim was found

The most recent homicide occurred last Saturday at Northwood Park where the 38-year-old victim was found dead by a passer by. Preliminary investigation showed no signs of foul play, police say, but the coroner’s report indicated that the unidentified victim’s death was the result of a homicide. The death marked the city’s 30th homicide of the year.

At about 5:15 a.m. on Sunday officers responded to the 3000 block of Van Sansul Street on a report of a shooting. Upon arrival they located a 52-year-old man sitting in a vehicle and suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. So far, there are no suspects and a motive for the shooting remains unknown.

A 25-year-old shooting victim was discovered in this Cadillac Drive neighborhood

San Jose police have made an arrest in the August 14 shooting of a 25-year-old man. The victim was located in the 3100 block of Cadillac Drive suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities arrested Julio Cesar Vasquez, 18, in connection with the shooting and investigators believe the incident was gang related.

Julio Cesar Vasquez was arrested in the Cadillac Drive shooting

The 26th and 27th homicides of 2012 both occurred on August 13 and one arrest has been made in the unrelated cases. Officers first responded to the 2300 block of Denair Avenue at about 4 p.m. on a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located 21-year-old Victor Mendoza suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.

Within two hours of the first shooting, officers responded to Meridian Avenue and San Carlos Street where a stabbing had just occurred. Upon arrival, they located the victim, an unidentified woman, suffering from stab wounds. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had attacked the victim with a sword-like weapon before fleeing the scene on foot. Canine officers quickly located the suspect, 37-year-old Marquis Reynolds, and took him into custody without incident.

Marquis Reynolds was arrested following a samurai sword stabbing

All the cases remain under investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact San Jose police.

MercuryNews.com: San Jose homicide tally hits 31, on pace to beat 15-year high

NBC Bay Area: San Jose Sees Spike in Violent Crimes

San Jose police investigating spate of violent crimes was last modified: January 3rd, 2018 by admin

Categories: Santa Clara

Tags: gang, murder, san jose, stabbing

About Author

Susie Fowkes

Susie Dryden Fowkes was born and raised in the Central Coast city of Santa Cruz and studied journalism at San Francisco State University. She has lived in the Silicon Valley for more than a decade, where she has covered Bay Area news for both radio and print media. She currently resides in San Jose with her traffic reporter husband and beagle-lab mix Kona.