Campbell police on Monday began investigating the city's first homicide since 2007.
Capt. Charley Adams said officers found 18-year-old Richard Vega of Campbell suffering from two gunshot wounds about 10:20 p.m. Sunday around the intersection of Latimer Avenue and Dunster Drive near the Campbell Community Center.
The Santa Clara High graduate - who friends said always made them smile - was transported to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for emergency surgery but he did not survive. Investigators are trying to figure out if Vega was targeted or a random victim. Adams said before he died, Vega made some statements that may be helpful to investigators. Adams declined to elaborate. Vega was attending De Anza College, his friends said.
Adams said a dark colored sedan was seen leaving the area eastbound on on Latimer Avenue toward Winchester Boulevard just after the shooting.
One neighbor, who asked not to be identified, was shocked to hear the sounds of gunshots in his normally quiet neighborhood. He said he heard a man scream, "Help me, please help me."
By the time this neighbor came outside, he found Vega covered in blood and badly injured. He stayed until help arrived.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Campbell Police Department Investigations Unit at (408) 871-5190. Or to leave an anonymous tip, contact Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-7867
