SAN JOSE, Calif. (KCBS) - San Jose Councilwoman Nora Campos will hold a community meeting Tuesday night to receive feedback from residents in the wake of a Halloween night gang attack against two Lee Mathson Middle School students.
The victims, one a sixth-grade student and the other an eight-grade student at the school, were attacked shortly before 10 p.m. on Oct. 31 in a parking lot at 2001 Story Road while they were trick-or-treating.
The 12-year-old boy was shot and remains in critical condition, and his friend who was stabbed is recovering at home.
The suspects are Eduardo Cristobal aka "Pelon," 18, of Milpitas; Erik Diaz, 16; Hugo Torres aka "Sharky," 15; and Diego Gutierrez aka "Boogie," 16, all residents of San Jose. They are all alleged members of the Sureno gang, police said.
The Santa Clara District Attorney's Office is charging the three juveniles as adults. All four suspects face two counts of attempted murder.
Campos, along with members of Mayor Chuck Reed's Gang Prevention Task Force, will host the meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lee Mathson Middle School, located at 2050 Kammerer Ave.
KCBS' Matt Bigler reports
Campos' spokesman Rolando Bonilla, said the councilwoman, along with police and city officials, will discuss emergency response activities that have been launched by the city in response to the attack.
Bonilla said the city has sent grief counselors to the neighborhood in an attempt to neutralize immediate tensions.
"You've got a lot of folks who are angry," Bonilla said. "We want the city of San Jose to know that every crime is taken seriously."
Ultimately, Bonilla said the community must work together to tackle San Jose's gang violence. The first key step begins with a dialogue at home between parents and children. The task of working to eradicate gang violence must involve the Police Department, community involvement and youth programs, he said.
"San Jose is comprised of hardworking families and they must always feel that this is their city," Bonilla said. "Together we can take positive steps toward decreasing crime in society."
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