Suspect in San Jose’s 14th Homicide Possibly in Central Valley

SAN JOSE – On May 8th, San Jose Police 9-1-1- dispatchers received a call reporting that a male suspect had been shot near the 2900 block of Westboro Drive in East San Jose.

Louie Garza, 55

55-year-old Louie Garza faces murder charges this week as San Jose Police have named him as a suspect in the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Ralph Gomez. Persons with information regarding the whereabouts of suspect Garza are urged to contact SJPD’s Homicide Unit.

Family members and relatives at the scene recalled an argument had broken out between the two men, preceding the fatal shooting of Gomez. Garza is suspected of the shooting of Gomez during a home celebration with friends and family. The incident occurred several days after the arrest of more than 11 individuals involved in throwing beer bottles, and disobeying orders by police to disperse when a group of more than 400 individuals were walking through the downtown area during the Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend.

Garza-back tattoos

A press release posted by the San Jose Police department states, “The San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit considers suspect Louie Garza armed and dangerous. It is believed that suspect Garza may be headed to the Central Valley (Modesto, Manteca or Madera). It is also a possibility the suspect may be attempting to flee the country.”

Garza- front tattoos

San Jose police were able to identify Garza as the suspect by family members at the scene when police arrived.  Sgt. Jason Dwyer with the San Jose Police Department said,”No further information  is being released.”

Read more:

SJPD.org: SJPD Needs Public’s Assistance to Locate Suspect Involved in City’s 14th Homicide

Mercury News:  San Jose: Relatives rattled as police search for slain man’s cousin as suspect

Fugitive.com:  Louie Garza Wanted for Alleged Murder of Ralph Gomez in San Jose