Crime & Safety

South San Fran Man Accused of 2011 Shooting, Hostage-Taking Back in Court

Alvin Baja Luis, now 57, is accused of 23 felonies: attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, 7 counts of making criminal threats, 7 counts of assault with a firearm, and 7 counts of false imprisonment, according to prosecutors.

A South San Francisco man accused of shooting his sister and holding family members hostage in November 2011 was expected back in court Tuesday, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.

The alleged violence occurred when Alvin Baja Luis, went to a home at 521 Spruce Ave. where family and friends were gathered to watch a football game, prosecutors said.

Luis was allegedly angry about his family members' settling of a dispute about their deceased mother's estate, and he suddenly pulled out a handgun and a pellet gun and threatened to kill everyone, prosecutors said.

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He was particularly angry at two sisters, prosecutors said. There were seven people in the room aside from Luis, according to police.

Luis allegedly hit one sister on the back of the head with the handgun, kicked the other sister in the stomach, and forced everyone at gunpoint into a bedroom and held them hostage for 20 to 30 minutes, prosecutors said.

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While one family member tried to negotiate with Luis, the others started escaping out a window. But Luis allegedly caught them and fired one shot, wounding his sister in the hand, police said.

She sustained broken bones in the hand and wrist, prosecutors said. The other family members escaped unharmed, police said.

Luis left and he was later arrested at a Carl's Jr. restaurant in San Francisco. Police found a bag of ammunition and a roll of duct tape at the victims' house and determined it was brought by Luis, prosecutors said.

The alleged crimes took place on Sunday Nov. 20, 2011.

Luis, now age 57, pleaded not guilty in January 2012 to attempted murder and other charges connected with the incident.

Luis faces 23 felonies, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, seven counts of making criminal threats, seven counts of assault with a firearm, and seven counts of false imprisonment, according to prosecutors.

Court officials were expected to address Luis' case Tuesday in Dept. 20 of San Mateo County Superior Court to set a new jury trial date.

The case had been set for jury trial Monday, but a defense motion to continue was granted March 1. There have been five prior settings of the jury trial date since Luis' superior court arraignment on March 16, 2012, prosecutors said.

Doctors have concluded the defendant is competent to stand trial, and the court found the defendant competent to stand trial, prosecutors said. The defendant was in custody on no bail status.

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