Ex-Novato Resident Pleads No Contest In Marin Murder: Report

SAN RAFAEL, CA — A former Novato resident charged in a San Rafael murder suspect issued no plea at his arraignment Thursday, The Marin Independent Journal reports.

Jeffrey Osmaldo Aguirre, 19, was making his first court appearance after being arrested earlier in the week on suspicion of murder in connection with the killing of Wilmer Gonzalez Velazquez, 23 of San Rafael.

Aguirre was assisted by a Spanish translator in his video court appearance the report said.

A superior court judge ordered Aguirre to be held without bail according to the report.

Officers responded shortly before midnight on May 3 to a report that a man who had apparently been shot was laying on the ground and was unresponsive on Windward Way according to police.

Aguirre and Velazquez were in the same vehicle at the time of the shooting with Aguirre sitting directly behind Velazquez according to police.

While the vehicle was in motion, the driver of the vehicle heard a loud bang and immediately pulled to the right curb of Windward Way, police said.

The driver saw that Velasquez had been shot by Aguirre and was asked by Aguirre for assistance, police said.

The driver was threatened when he refused Aguirre's request but was able to get out of the car and run away from the area, police said.

Aguirre fled the scene according to police

Detectives learned the next day Aguirre had recently returned to Marin County from Conroe, Texas, police said.

Aguirre still has family in the area according to police.

Officers developed information leading them to believe Aguirre may have been at a Richmond residence in the 400 block of Maine Avenue obtained an arrest warrant/search warrant for the address.

Detectives with assistance from the Marin County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit in Richmond and the San Rafael/Novato Crisis Response Unit (SWAT and Hostage Negotiations) executed the warrant at the Richmond address, where Aguirre was located and peacefully surrendered.

Aguirre was interviewed by detectives in San Rafael and later booked at the Marin County Jail on suspicion of murder, police said.

This is San Rafael's first reported homicide this year and the third in over nine years according to police.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the San Rafael Police Department at (415) 485-3000.

Tips can also be made online here.

Read more in The Marin Independent Journal