GILROY – A second young man has died of injuries he suffered in a shooting last fall at an alcohol-fueled party a Gilroy councilmember is alleged to have helped plan, police said.
Jesse Sanchez, 19, died May 27, the Gilroy Police Department said in an advisory Wednesday evening.
Michael Daniel Zuniga-Macias, 18, was also shot and killed at the party, held Oct. 29-30, 2021, on the 400 block of Las Animas Avenue in Gilroy.
In April, Gilroy Councilmember Rebeca Armendariz received 10 civil citations for breaking multiple ordinances and regulations, including one meant to curb underage drinking and unruly gatherings.
The citations followed an independent probe by Hansen Bridgett LLC that found Armendariz helped her underage nephew plan the party. She told an investigator she had voiced objections to the party, did not know alcohol would be served and that final say for whether it could be held rested with her mother, who owned the property.
The investigator called much of Armendariz’s story “implausible” and a report by the firm concluded she was “disingenuous at best, and not believable” in her attempts to avoid responsibility.
Armendariz was fined a total of $2,450 for violating the city’s social accountability host ordinance, failing to obtain a special event permit and misusing city assets. She was also cited for violations of a special event permit. However, $1,250 of it was waived because the citations were levied more than 30 days after the alleged incident.
Amendariz had 30 days to contest the citations, which were issued April 8. She did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Police on Wednesday said two other shooting victims recovered from their injuries.
No arrests have been announced in the two killings, and a criminal investigation is ongoing.
“It is with deep regret that we inform the public that a second teenager has died from the shootings that occurred at a Halloween party hosted at the Armendariz residence last October,” Mayor Marie Blankley said in a statement. “We continue to mourn the senseless loss of lives so young, and we seek evidence and testimony in what remains an active and ongoing investigation. While of little consolation, members of the Armendariz family have been cited for violating Gilroy’s Social Host Ordinance.”
Anyone with information related to the case can contact Detective Chris Silva at 408-846-0355 or the anonymous tip line at 408-846-0330.
Check back for updates.
Source: www.mercurynews.com