Shotspotter system alerts police to gunshot victim

by Amisha Upadhyaya , January 28, 2013

EAST PALO ALTO – In 2008, East Palo Alto installed a system known as ShotSpotter, created by Mountain View based SST, which installed the first of its systems in nearby Mountain View in 1995.

ShotSpotter, and the more recent version, ShotSpotter Flex, uses a sophisticated wide-area acoustic surveillance, using installed sensors, to identify and pinpoint gunfire anywhere within the targeted area. The system is capable of recognizing a distinct signature sound of gunfire, so backfires, fireworks, and other loud noises are not mistakenly tagged as gunshots. ShotSpotter is currently in use on over 80 locations, in 4 countries, with over 70 in place in the U.S. Police use the system for everything from identifying potential gun crimes, to discouraging citizens from firing shots during New Year’s Eve and Independence Day celebrations.

ShotSpotter helped police find the victim, Jonathan Alcazar, in the 2600 block of Illinois Street in East Palo Alto

At 1:47 in the afternoon on January 14, East Palo Alto Police Department received a ShotSpotter activation report from the 2600 block of Illinois Street. When officers arrived, they found the body of Jonathan Alcazar, 24 years old, riddled with multiple gun shot wounds. He died on the scene.

A few hours later, another shooting victim sustaining multiple gun shot wounds was admitted into a local hospital. He is in critical condition and police are not releasing his name yet.

The motive, or any possible gang connection is unknown and police are actively investigating suspects. Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact the East Palo Alto Police Department:

Send an anonymous text from your cell phone to 650-409-6792
Leave an anonymous voice mail by calling 650-409-6792
Call East Palo Alto Police Dispatch at 650-321-1112

Alcazar is listed as the first homicide of San Mateo County in 2013.

Palo Alto Patch: EPA Murder Victim Identified

Mercury News: One killed, another critically wounded in East Palo Alto shooting

ShotSpotter.com website

Shotspotter system alerts police to gunshot victim was last modified: January 14th, 2019 by admin

Categories: San Mateo

Tags: murder, shooting, Shotspotter

About Author

Amisha Upadhyaya

Amisha Upadhyaya is a freelance journalist who writes on women's health, investigative reports, and features for several regional and national print and web publications. She is editor and co-founder of Banyan Parents at www.banyanparents.com, and an award winning screenwriter and playwright. Her website is www.amisha.tv and her blog on diversity in media is www.unsuitablegirls.wordpress.com