Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a 28-year-old man, who was killed outside a family celebration in San Leandro in May, police said.
San Leandro police, with the assistance of 100-plus law enforcement officials from Hayward, Union City and elsewhere, served search warrants at multiple Bay Area locations Monday. Officers were able to nab a trio, who, they said, targeted Dariel Arreola on May 15.
One of the suspects has been identified as Daniel Norberto Villareal, while the other two are minors — 14 and 16 years old respectively — and so have not been named, police said. The victim and suspects are affiliated with rival gangs.
"Two suspects came from behind him and shot him from behind, killing him nearly instantly," Lt. Robert McManus said.
Police received multiple reports of a shooting on the 13900 block of East 14th Street around 7:35 p.m. May 15. Responding officers found that a white minivan had rammed into a light pole near the intersection of 138th Avenue and also collided with an SUV as the suspects tried to get away.
Officers were directed to San Leandro’s Senior Community Center, where a private event was underway.
Officers found Arreola, suffering from gunshot wounds, on the walkway outside the building’s main entrance. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
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According to police, Arreola had “close ties” to numerous East Bay cities, including Hayward, although the nature of those ties remains unknown.
Villareal, who was arrested in a San Jose apartment, is facing a murder charge, police said. One minor was taken into custody in Union City while the other surrendered to the San Leandro Police Department, police said.
"All members arrested in this case have gang enhancement charges that will be filed against them," McManus said.
An investigation is ongoing and the Alameda County District Attorney’s office is slated to review the case Wednesday and hand down official charges against the suspects.
When asked about why such a large number of police personnel helped with homicide investigation, McManus said: "We needed to be prepared to do this safely. We needed to be prepared to arrest the suspects and at the same time make sure our community was safe."
