San Jose police announced Tuesday that one of the men officers shot and killed this month was a suspect in the homicides of two former San Jose State students.
On the morning of Oct. 8, Eric Kenzo Otokawa and his girlfriend Kristina Lynn Pandula were shot at a unit they rented in the 800 block of South Third Street near Viriginia Street. Both died from their injuries after being shot in the head.
"They were murdered execution-style in the back of the head," said Lt. Alan Cavallo, commander of the homicide unit.
Two days later police responded to a report of man with a handgun walking along on Hillsdale Avenue with little clothing. When they responded they said Richardo Moreno threatened officers so they shot and killed him.
Police said Moreno is the man who shot and killed the former students. They said he knew the victims because they lived in the same dorm at San Jose State.
They said the weapon used to kill the two was found at the officer involved shooting scene.
Police said the motive for the killing was a drug deal gone bad, adding that Otokawa sold pot and meth out of his downtown unit. Police said his girlfriend was a victim of circumstance.
