San Carlos Man ID'd, Arrested As Park Shooting Suspect: Police

REDWOOD CITY, CA — A San Carlos man was arrested last week, accused of an August shooting at a Redwood City park that missed the intended target — but led to a lockdown of an elementary school and shattered windows at a Boys and Girls Club, according to authorities.

Following an "intensive investigation" and a warrant search of his residence, Jorge Daniel Gomez, 32, was taken into custody Sept. 21 on numerous charges, including attempted murder, along with drug and weapon crimes, the Redwood City Police Department said.

The shooting at Hoover Park on Spring Street — with multiple rounds allegedly fired from a handgun — was reported by a witness Aug. 19 at 3:34 p.m., who told police they saw a man shoot at another man on the center grass field. The two then fled the area, and investigators later found multiple 9-mm bullet casings in the park, authorities said.

Windows at The Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula, located in the park's western area off Hilton Street, were broken by gunfire. No one was seriously injured, however a staff member had glass shatter on them, officials said at the time.

Police said 26 students and 15 staff members were evacuated from The Boys & Girls Club, while 300 students and 40 staff members were escorted from nearby Hoover Elementary School by police and San Mateo County sheriff's deputies.

Redwood City investigators zeroed in last week on Gomez as the suspected shooter, and a search warrant was served Sept. 21 on his house by local detectives and the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force, officials said.

Recovered items included a loaded, illegally possessed Glock handgun, more that three-quarters of an ounce of methamphetamine, plus more than $3,000 which was seized as "evidence of illegal drug sales," police said.

Gomez was booked into the San Mateo County Jail for charges of: suspicion of attempted murder, alleged negligent discharge of a firearm; felon allegedly in possession of a firearm, ammunition; alleged possession of a controlled substance with a firearm; and suspected possession of methamphetamine for sale, he department said.

"The Redwood City Police Department considers the safety of its residents, especially children, as our highest priority," the agency said. "A significant amount of time and effort by our officers was put into bringing this suspect to justice."

Anyone with information on the case can call the Redwood City police tip line at 650-780-7107.

----------

ALSO SEE:

• SFO Food Workers Strike Seeking Pay Boost, Fully Funded Healthcare
• San Jose Hotel To Convert To Foster-Youth Housing
• Weekend At A Winery: Wine & Song At Stunner Venue In Silicon Valley
• Halloween Haunted Houses 2022: Guide To Ghoulish Best In SF Bay Area
• Oktoberfest 2022: Guide To The Most Wunderbar In SF Bay Area