Newark police announced a break in a high profile homicide that happened two years ago.
Three people have been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Newark high school student Justice Afoa.
Afoa, who was a defensive lineman at Newark Memorial High School before transferring to the continuation school Bridgepoint High School, was stabbed to death near the intersection of Cedar Boulevard and Birch Street in Newark at about 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2010.
The stabbing happened near Newark Memorial High School just after school had concluded for the day.
Newark police said that after a lengthy investigation, they have arrested Daniela Guzman, 19, of Newark; Rafael Tovar, 32, of Newark; and Daniel Howard, 31, of Fremont, on suspicion of murder.
Police said investigators obtained confessions from two of the suspects, who said Afoa was their intended target.
Investigators said the two suspects disclosed the motive for the murder but police have yet to release that information.
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"This homicide investigation has been a high priority for the police department for the past two years and we appreciate the diligence and efforts of the detective division and the support of the community. We are especially grateful for the assistance of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Gang Unit with this complex and difficult investigation," a police news release read.
Newark police have said only that the stabbing was not random but rather a premeditated and deliberate attack in retaliation for an incident that happened several months earlier.
Newark police have forwarded the case to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office to file charges against the three suspects.
