UNION CITY β Authorities in Alameda County have quietly arrested and charged a year-old man in the high profile November killings of two young boys who were shot to death at an elementary school parking lot last year. Carlos Gilberto Zepeda, 20, was arrested last week on charges that he participated in the killings of year-old Kevin Hernandez and year-old Sean Withington. Last February, at a news conference, authorities announced the arrests of Jason Cornejo, 18, from Castro Valley, and a thenyear-old boy from Hayward who remains in juvenile court on the same charges.
Zepeda faces two murder counts as well as related gang charges and gun enhancements. He is being held in Santa Rita Jail without bail. According to court records, cell phone records showed that Zepeda, Cornejo, and the teen β who has not yet been publicly identified β traveled together to and from the scene of the shooting. Authorities say that Zepeda obtained the rental car used in the killing with help from a family member.
Additionally, Zepeda and Cornejo were suspected in a nonfatal shooting that occurred three days before both boys were killed, according to prosecutors. The rivalry between both gangs had existed on and off for 15 years, and was reinstigated by the shooting of a year-old HOGGs affiliate in Hayward, police said. Authorities said social media posts and rap music videos by members of both gangs also had reignited tensions.
The killings of the boys unfolded at a. Sean died at the scene, and Kevin died while being rushed to a local trauma center. The boys had been inside a minivan in the parking lot when another car pulled into the lot, according to security camera footage reviewed by this news organization. A short time later, as the minivan began to drive away, two separate sets of muzzle flashes can be seen cutting through the darkness, aimed at the departing vehicle, which then slowly collided with a tree.
Police said last month they believed there were two shooters involved, based in part on that video evidence, and announced that they were looking for a car resembling a silver Toyota Camry. Cornejo, who has pleaded not guilty, is also in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin awaiting a preliminary hearing. They are also moving to try the year-old as an adult, according to court records. By Nate Gartrell ngartrell bayareanewsgroup. Share this: Click to share on Facebook Opens in new window Click to share on Twitter Opens in new window Click to print Opens in new window Click to email a link to a friend Opens in new window Click to share on Reddit Opens in new window.
