Shooting Spree ends with the Arrest of Car Theft Suspect
SAN JOSE – Justin Watkins, 20, was shot and killed in a South San Jose neighborhood late on Sunday night. According to several civilians, a single gunshot was heard by residents inside their apartment located on the 100 block of Hayes Ave. Witnesses said they saw a unknown male suspect suddenly turn, and run away from the area. Watkins was reportedly shot once, then assisted by paramedics. He was pronounced dead at the scene moments later. Homicide detectives assisted by a dozen officers canvassed the area for possible evidence, and possible witnesses of the shooting.
crime scene
crime scene
Neighbors were caught off guard during the brutal attack as family members gathered together over the Memorial Day weekend. Resident Michael Seabuoy who was still in shock over the shooting said, “I just heard one pop.” A motive is unclear at this time as to why Watkins was shot in the middle of the road near homes and apartment complexes located just 50-yards away from a pre-school. “I thought it was an accident or something, and then I heard the ambulance take off a while later.”
Homicide detectives alongside patrolling officers worked well into the morning hours piecing together clues to what may have led up to the shooting. Three homicides occurred within hours of each other over the weekend. The feeling that San Jose is the safest big city fell way to criticism of heavy-handed tactics by the San Jose City Council and Mayor, in which employee pay was cut by more than 20%, causing a rift between officers and politicians. The pay cuts cost the department more than 300 officers who were subsequently laid off at the time of the cuts.
Several hours later after officers were able to clear the scene. A call came in to the SJPD 9-1-1 center around 6:00 a.m. reporting a suspicious person brandishing a gun towards early morning commuters. A patrol officer determined that the vehicle the suspect was driving was stolen. The officer followed closely, however, he had lost the driver. A short time later, the officer spotted the stolen vehicle crashed and abandoned near Lundy Ave. and Chesterton Cir., in San Jose.
cracked windshield from crash
Officers located 22-year-old Jamie Alejandre nearby. He was suffering from cuts and bruising as a result the crash, police were able to take the subject into custody. Alejandre was transported to Valley Medical Center where he was treated for his wounds. He was then transported to the Santa Clara Main Jail where he was booked for PC 25850 (A) carrying a firearm on a person or vehicle, VC 2800.2 evading a peace officer, PC 245 assault with a deadly weapon, PC 148 (A) (1) resisting arrest, PC 417 (A) (2) Brandishing a Firearm and VC 10851 (A) vehicle theft.
Read more:
Mercury News: San Jose: Police identify South San Jose shooting victim
NBC Bay Area: San Jose Police ID 19th Victim of 2013
Top News Today: San Jose: Police Identify teens slain in Sunday shooting
