Homicide suspect in Santa Clara shooting allegedly killed girlfriend's 3-year-old son
A 3-year-old boy was found shot to death inside a home early Tuesday morning in a Santa Clara neighborhood and a suspect was arrested, police said.
Police said a woman called police around 2:20 a.m. and told them her live-in boyfriend had shot her 3-year-old son. Officers responded to an apartment building on the 3700 block of Poinciana Drive just west of the Lawrence Expressway and just east of the Sunnyvale city limits.
Officers arrived on scene within minutes of the call. Inside the apartment unit, officers found the child who had suffered a gunshot wound and attempted life-saving measures. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
A suspect was arrested near the scene.
"We were able to apprehend the suspect who fled on foot from the apartment," said Lieutenant Mike Crescini, Public Information Officer from the Santa Clara Police Department. "Charges are still pending, but they are believed to be murder and resisting arrest at minimum."
The suspect was identified as 24-year-old Santa Clara resident Sergio Colin Gomez. The man and the child were not related, police said.
Neighbors KPIX spoke with said they woke up to screaming, shouting and police making an arrest outside of their home.
"I heard police shouting, 'drop it or drop that gun' that's when I got worried," said neighbor Vitaly Kolonov.
Kolonov and his family have lived at the Riley Square apartments in Santa Clara for over five years.
"It's shocking. It's awful because this whole area is a pretty sleepy neighborhood," said
Kolonov and his family have lived at the Riley Square apartments in Santa Clara for over five years.
"I heard police shouting, 'drop it; or 'drop that gun' that's when I got worried," said Kolonov.
Police have not released any additional details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The investigation into the homicide is ongoing and the motive has not been determined at this time. Witnesses to the incident or anyone with information are asked to contact the Santa Clara Police Department homicide unit at 408-615-4814. Information can also be left on the SCPD Anonymous Tip Line at (408) 615-4TIP (4847).
