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http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080612/NEWS01/806120357/1002
Gangs scrutinized in teen shooting deaths
BY JACLYN O'MALLEY •
JOMALLEY@RGJ.COM • JUNE 12, 2008
While hundreds of people enjoyed a soccer match and family activities Tuesday evening in Miguel Ribera Park, a nearby fight between feuding gang members ended in the deaths of two teen boys and the wounding of another, authorities said.
Reported gang member Juan Marquez-DeSantiago, 21, of Reno, was held without bail in Washoe County Jail on suspicion of two counts of murder with a deadly weapon and battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm.
During a brief meeting at the jail Wednesday afternoon, Marquez-DeSantiago, a cell phone kiosk clerk, declined to discuss the incident, saying he wanted to speak with his public defender.
Slain on Tuesday were cousins Christian Barajas, 16, and Jose "Alonso" Anguiano, 17, both of Reno. Both had dropped out of high schools in Washoe County during the past several months. A 15-year-old boy was in critical condition at Renown Regional Medical Center.
Members of the Regional Gang Unit will be on extra patrols in the area, working rotating 12-hour shifts to reduce possible incidents of retaliation and to keep the peace. The 21-member unit has officers from Reno, Sparks and the Washoe County School District police and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.
"This was completely senseless and had no reason to occur," said Lt. Robert McDonald, head of Reno's robbery/homicide unit. "Two young men lost their lives and another one is critically injured for what? Someone was disrespected?
"It makes no sense it escalated to this level of violence."
Deputy Chief Jim Johns called the shootings a tragedy and stressed that gang crime in Reno is fairly low, despite community perceptions. He said there had not been a gang-related killing in Reno for years.
"We want people to be safe in their community," Johns said, adding that more than 15 years ago the Community Action Team evolved into the Regional Gang Unit to prevent gang crime and address related issues.
"This incident might raise fear in the community, but we are committed to identifying gang issues and reducing crime," he said.
McDonald said the cousins and a few of their reported gang associates had gone to the 900 block of Virbel Lane with bats to fight with Marquez-DeSantiago and members of his reported gang. The site was near the park, which has a police substation and medical clinic.
After arguing, Marquez-DeSantiago produced a semi-automatic pistol and began firing, McDonald said. Anguiano was found in a driveway and pronounced dead at a hospital.
Detectives said after Aguiano was killed, Marquez-DeSantiago chased the other boys toward the crowded park. He allegedly fired six to seven shots, hitting Barajas and the 15-year-old boy who remains hospitalized.
Their fellow reported gang members tried life-saving efforts.
Police say Marquez-DeSantiago acted alone in the shootings and recovered his pistol.
"There is no question in our mind that he intended to do harm to these people," McDonald said. "He pursued them. There are no self-defense issues."
Marquez-DeSantiago was arrested after being interviewed by detectives. Police said multiple witnesses identified him as the shooter.
McDonald said a stray bullet Marquez-DeSantiago fired pierced the window of an occupied apartment but hit no one.
The reason for the fight is under investigation. Police said the two reported gangs were involved in an ongoing feud.
Gang unit Sgt. Walt Frazier described crime in the Neil Road area as "sporadic" and said it was hard to tell what kind of a reaction the shooting would trigger. He said there are 35 active street gangs in Reno, mostly Hispanic.
"For some, they think all they have is the gang and they will do anything they can to defend it," Frazier said. "But not every gang member has the potential for violence who will shoot, kill and harm people."
He said most gang violence is a reaction to a situation rather than a planned offensive.
"When you have kids out there who belong to gangs, death is always a potential for them," Frazier said. "Parents need to be more aware of where their kids are, and who they are with. I think there will be a percentage of kids who will go 'wow, I never thought being in a gang would get me killed.' And then there will be some who may think it's cool."
