EL CERRITO — A man was arrested shortly after abandoning the vehicle suspected of being used to flee the scene of a shooting. The suspect was found hiding at a residence near where the victim was shot.
On July 19 at 12:15 p.m., El Cerrito officers responded to reported gunfire. It was heard near the intersection of School Avenue and South 53 rd Street. A gunshot victim was located nearby on the 900 block of 55 th Street.
The suspected shooter fled before officers arrived on the scene. Officers rendered first aid until paramedics arrived and transported the critically injured victim to a hospital.
The suspect’s vehicle was located unoccupied nearby, while simultaneous reports of a man running through yards were received by police. The suspect was seen running back towards the scene of the crime.
A search of the area turned up 42-year-old Daniel Torres of Pittsburg, who was found hiding in a residence. Torres was taken into custody at 12:42 p.m., not far from the scene of the shooting. Officers also recovered the firearm apparently used to shoot the victim.
Torres was transported and booked at the Martinez Detention facility on suspicion of attempted murder. In addition, he was booked for assault with a firearm on a person, and felon in possession of a firearm.
In a prepared statement El Cerrito police said. “A criminal complaint will be sought with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.”
