Brother shot and killed just three years after sister was shot by her ex-husband
The San Jose Police Homicide Detectives have released a sketch of the possible homicide suspect responsible in the shooting death of 33-year-old Rafael Espinoza.
According to SJPD Press Information Officer Sgt. Enrique Garcia, “On Sunday, August 23, 2015, at 11:57 p.m., San Jose Police Department officers responded to the 2000 block of Lavonne Avenue on reports of firearms discharged.” Police later found the victim shot. It was reported that two young men in their early to mid 20’s were seen running from the scene after witnesses heard what sounded like gunshots just before midnight near the MACSA Youth Center.
Witnesses at the scene described a Hispanic or white male in his mid-late 20’s as the shooter. The suspect was last seen wearing a red shirt and khaki colored pants.
This is the second homicide experienced by the Espinoza family. The first was with the shooting death of Maribel and Pedro Jimenez. They were shot by Maribel’s ex-husband Pedro Medina, who has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Now with both a brother and sister dead in two shooting incidents, the family is devastated over the loss of their son and daughter, all within three years of each other.
Mothers Against Murder have been seeking donations to help cover funeral costs for the Espinoza family through their website: MothersAgainstMurder/RafaelEspinoza.
The SJPD is asking the public to help identify the suspect in the sketch in order to help bring justice for Rafael Espinoza and his family. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Raul Martinez or Detective Jorge Santiago of the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 408-277-5283.
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