Teen Gang Members Appear in Court for Redwood City Drive-By Shooting

Two teens who are members of the Sureño gang appeared in court this week to discuss their upcoming trial for a drive-by shooting they committed in June of last year.

Juan Garcia-Mungia, 19, an East Palo Alto resident who worked at the Panda Express restaurant in Redwood City's Sequoia Station, and Saul Vallejo, 15, of Redwood City, along with a third friend not facing charges in this case, reportedly met up at the Sequoia Station in Redwood City the night of June 1, 2012 and got in a car together.

Driving around Redwood City, the teens reportedly spotted two people standing at the corner of Lathrop and Maple streets. According to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, one of the two people was a member of the rival Norteño gang, who had previously beat up the third friend in the vehicle.

Garcia-Mungia, who was driving the car, reportedly pulled the car over about 10 feet from where the two stood on the corner, and Vallejo, who was sitting in the backseat, pushed the front seat of the two-door car forward just far enough so he could stick his arm out the window of the car and fire a gun on the two victims.

Multiple witnesses who either heard or saw the incident reported anywhere between three to seven shots were fired - but, luckily, all of the shots missed and the two victims were not injured.

The suspects reportedly drove off after firing the shots, but Redwood City Police caught up with them the next day, and they were arrested.

At the time of the arrest, police found a box-cutter in Vallejo's possession. Their investigation determined their motive for the shooting was retaliation for the previous beating of the third uncharged friend who was in the vehicle that night.

The two suspects are scheduled to stand trial in San Mateo County Court in Redwood City on April 15. The two currently remain in custody without bail.

What do you think needs to be done about gang activity in Redwood City and countywide? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

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