Crime & Safety

Federal Raid Reportedly Linked to 2010 Triple Homicide

Federal, state and local police cooperated in an 18-month investigation, according to the Mercury News. A press conference is scheduled in South San Francisco city council chambers for 3 p.m.

The Mercury News reports that federal, state and local police had planned to launch a wide gang sweep this morning relating to the shooting. Agents planned to serve warrants at at least 12 locations, a source told the Mercury News.

One of the raids was in South San Francisco, according to KTVU.

Find out what's happening in South San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An 18-month investigation of the shooting that left Gonzalo Avalos, 19, Omar Cortez, 18, and Hector Flores, 20, dead grew to include gang connections, guns and drugs, according to the Mercury News.

The three men , according to police. In addition to the three fatal victims, three other young men were injured.

Find out what's happening in South San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The raid was meant to zone in on gang members who were thought to have targeted rivals, according to the Mercury News.

Law enforcement has called a press conference at 3 p.m. today in city council chambers at 33 Arroyo Drive. Check back on Patch for updates and further information. 

United States Attorney Melinda Haag, Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge Clark Settles, South San Francisco Mayor Richard Garbarino and Daly City Chief of Police Manuel Martinez Jr. will be at the press conference.

Here's more about the action in Petaluma this morning from Petaluma Patch and editor Karina Ioffee:

Three Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were injured in an early morning operation Thursday while serving high-risk federal warrants to a home off South McDowell Boulevard in Petaluma, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The SWAT agents were with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations and were transported to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, agency spokeswoman Virginia Kice said.

One suspect was taken into custody, Kice said.

Residents reported hearing gunfire around 4am and two helicopters in the area.

Kice said the Thursday raid was part of an ongoing, multi-agency criminal investigation.

At the Best Western, guests were told to stay in their rooms, although they were allowed to leave their rooms shortly after 6 a.m., according to the manager.

Several people were taken away in ambulances, and one was airlifted from the area.

"We'd always see undercovers (undercover agents) sitting outside," said Sadie Vega-Martinez, who lives in the area. "They brought several people out...but then they still wouldnt go in and used a megaphone in English and Spanish asking them to come out. They used chainsaws and things to get in... They were nice neighbors...never would have known!"

ICE is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s largest investigative unit that focuses on border control, customs, trade and immigration.

Bay City News contributed to this report.


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