Mountain View: Four arrested in Christmas shooting that wounded boy
MOUNTAIN VIEW — Police have arrested four people, including two minors, in connection with a Christmas shooting that wounded a 6-year-old boy, authorities said.
The suspects have also been linked to a robbery earlier that day. Mountain View police did not specify how the two events might be connected, but their booking offenses suggest that the violence was gang motivated.
Police previously reported that around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 25, a shooting occurred at a home in the 900 block of Clark Avenue near El Camino Real. They described a person walking up and then opening fire into the residence before fleeing.
A man and the boy were wounded. They were taken to a hospital and were expected to survive, police said.
In a news release issued Thursday, police said the shooting was preceded by a robbery reported at a 7-Eleven store in the 1900 block of Latham Street, in which a necklace stolen.
Detectives eventually identified “several subjects connected to these crimes” and obtained search and arrest warrants. On Wednesday morning, Mountain View police officers backed by several local SWAT teams served those warrants on the 1900 block of Latham Street — the same block of the robbery — and the 200 block of Calderon Avenue and Del Medio Court.
Authorities also served a warrant on Ottawa Court in Sunnyvale. Mountain View police were assisted by Campbell and Los Altos police, the Santa Clara County Specialized Enforcement Team, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety and the Mountain View Fire Department.
Following the operation, police announced the arrests of four people, all Mountain View residents: Tristen Villanueva, 18; Gilbert Murillo, 20 and two male minors. All were booked on suspicion of conspiracy and a gang enhancement that could lengthen any potential prison sentences upon conviction.
Additionally, Villanueva was booked on suspicion of robbery and assault likely to cause great bodily harm. One of the minor suspects is also alleged to have violated his probation.
Villanueva and Murillo were both being held without bail in the Elmwood men’s jail, records show.
In response to an inquiry from this news organization, police said that there was no connection between the site of the robbery and the home on the same block where one of the arrests occurred. The department also said any link between the robbery and shooting is still under investigation.
As to whether any of those arrested was the shooter who wounded the boy and the man, police said “individual roles and other details are not being released at this time.” The department declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information for Mountain View investigators can contact Detective Josh Gould at josh.gould@mountainview.gov. Spanish speakers can contact Detective Angelica Espitia at angelica.espitia@mountainview.gov. Anonymous tips can be left at 650-903-6618.