Jul 20, 2008

Man shot, killed in East Palo Alto

No arrests yet, but possible gang link

By Banks Albach / Daily News Staff Writer

A 20-year-old man was shot to death at close range on the 2500 block of Farrington Way in East Palo Alto on Friday night, upping this year's homicide toll to two.

Milpitas resident John Leonard, who detectives say is a member of the local Taliban gang, was found by police on the sidewalk, dead from a single gunshot wound. The initial calls reporting shots fired and a victim came in at 10:22 p.m.

Police have made no arrests and have no strong leads pointing to a motive, but they are investigating Leonard's gang affiliation as a possible trigger for the killing, Detective Angel Sanchez said. The department is also seeking additional witnesses who may have seen Leonard speaking with two young males before the shooting. The two subjects were seen fleeing in a small, light-colored sedan or coupe.

Sanchez said he believes that Leonard drove to the area by himself, and that the shooting was not a drive-by. Police have secured Leonard's car as evidence.

When police arrived, several family members and friends of Leonard were already on the scene, distraught and grieving, Detective Ed Soares said. Several other people, possibly fellow gang members, Soares said, looked angry and were making phone calls.

"There was a lot of intense emotion," he said.

A small candle and vase of flowers could be seen on Saturday on the section of sidewalk where Leonard was found.

The Taliban claims territory in both Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, mostly in the Midtown neighborhood south of Bay Road and between University Avenue and Willow Road, he said. Leonard was killed in an area known as the Floda area, Soares said.

Around the time of the shooting, Ignacio Peno, 13, was watching television. He said he didn't hear the shots and found out about the situation from his cousin. He walked into his front yard and saw Leonard right in front of him on the sidewalk on the other side of his waist-high, chain link fence.

Pena said he was scared and had butterflies in his stomach.

"It makes me scared to go outside at night," Pena said Saturday afternoon. "This could happen to anyone."

Although Leonard had a Milpitas address, he has roots in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park. He also has a history with the East Palo Alto Police Department. About three years ago, Detectives Sanchez and Soares chased Leonard over rooftops and through backyards after police say he attempted to flee during a traffic stop. They eventually detained and arrested Leonard; he had drugs and a gun clip on him, police said.

About two months ago, Leonard was arrested by East Palo Alto police on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm. Leonard was set to appear in court Monday for a preliminary hearing on the gun charges, along with a three, five or possibly ten-year gang enhancement charge, Soares said.

East Palo Alto's first homicide victim, Anthony "Pooter" Pickrom, 18, died on Jan. 17 after being shot near the Pulgas Market.

Anyone with additional information, or who may have witnessed the shooting, is asked to call Detective Angel Sanchez at 650-853-3144, or the East Palo Alto police murder hot line at 800-MURDER-0.



E-mail Banks Albach at balbach@dailynewsgroup.com.