Jun 25, 2008

Robbery attempt may have led to slaying

Detectives find firearms at scene of triple homicide

By Shaun Bishop / Daily News Staff Writer

San Mateo County sheriff's investigators continued to search Tuesday for suspects in a triple homicide shooting in unincorporated Redwood City that they said may have begun as a home invasion robbery.

Detectives for the sheriff's office found firearms at the scene that suggest a possible robbery attempt at the North Fair Oaks home where three men were found dead Monday, said Lt. Marc Alcantara.

He also said detectives believe at least one of the guns was used to commit the murders.

"At this time it doesn't appear to be a random crime," Alcantara said. "And the involvement of drugs or gang affiliation are being looked into and have not been ruled out."

Officers who responded to the shooting at 1:26 p.m. Monday found one man shot dead in the driveway. He was identified by the coroner Tuesday as Jorge Guzman-Reynaga, 26, a resident of the house.

Two other Hispanic men between 25 and 30 years old were found dead inside the house at 512 Stanford Ave. Their names have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Authorities were still looking Tuesday for a light-blue Honda seen speeding away just after the shooting. Witnesses saw a male driver and two passengers, whom the sheriff's office is working to identify.

No suspects have been named and the sheriff has not disclosed a motive for the crimes.

Neighbors said the residential block near Middlefield Road is usually peaceful and family-oriented. Some said they had seen drug deals on occasion, but not the kind of violence that erupted Monday.

"Usually we're so quiet and safe," said Yolanda Buenrostro, who lives down the street.

The victims' loved ones gathered on the front porch of the house Tuesday but declined to talk. A small memorial with candles and flowers sat on the driveway near where Reynaga was fatally shot.

Alcantara did not disclose the number or types of guns investigators found inside the house and said authorities are still trying to figure out who owned them.

Detectives worked late Monday night and early Tuesday morning to process the crime scene, Alcantara said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the sheriff's office at 650-363-4055 or the anonymous tip line at 1-800-547-2700.



E-mail Shaun Bishop at sbishop@dailynewsgroup.com.