String Of Gilroy Shootings Probed

GILROY, CA — Gilroy’s new police chief is urging the public to provide information in connection with a string of shootings this year that have left two dead and two wounded.

Pedro Espinoza, who assumed the city's top cop role Oct. 1, said in a video posted on Facebook that the investigation of four reported shootings in the first nine days of this year is a “priority for the department.”

Robert Marks, 21, died from injuries suffered in a Jan. 2 shooting at around 9 p.m. in the area Santa Teresa Boulevard and Mantelli Drive.

A 35-year-old man suffered fatal gunshot wounds in a Jan. 3 at around 9:30 p.m. in an incident in the 400 block of Fairview Drive.

Another shooting was reported Jan. 1 at around 8:30 p.m. in the 500 block of Fairview Drive in which several vehicles were damaged, but nobody involved in the shooting was located according to police.

“On behalf of our team I want to assure you of our team’s commitment to fully investigate these senseless acts,” Espinoza said.

“We are utilizing every tool and technique at our disposal and also relying on the established partnerships that we have with our allied agencies to make sure that we apprehend those who are responsible.”

Police haven’t revealed much about the investigation in large part to preserve the integrity of the investigation, Espinoza said.

“I know that at times it’s frustrating not to know more, and I wish I could provide you with more,” Espinoza said.

“Our detectives and investigators are working tirelessly, and this is a priority for the department.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Robert Marks, 21, died from injuries suffered in a Jan. 10 shooting at around 11:50 p.m. in the area of 8th and Hanna streets. Marks died from injuries suffered in a shooting Jan. 2 at around 9 p.m. in the area of Santa Teresa Boulevard and Mantelli Drive.