REDWOOD CITY – A Redwood City man was arrested Wednesday on multiple charges after allegedly firing a gun during New Year’s celebration.
Police say the suspect fired his weapon “several times” outside an apartment building on Stambaugh Street shortly after midnight on January 1. Officers called to the scene recovered spent and unused .45 caliber and 9mm ammunition, but were unable to identify any suspects.
“During the New Year holidays, the discharge of firearms is all too common and it is normally difficult, if not impossible, to identify the perpetrators. These arbitrary and negligent acts are particularly dangerous to the community as there are typically large numbers of community members out celebrating, as in this case,” police said in a statement on Thursday.
According to investigators, several people, including children, were in the area when the suspect was shooting.
After months of investigation, police were able to identify a suspect. On Wednesday evening, officers served an arrest warrant at the suspect’s home in Redwood City.
During the search, police said they found a .45 caliber handgun and .45 caliber and 9mm ammunition. A check of the records showed that the firearm did not belong to him or anyone he knew.
The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Juan Jose VeraGaleana, was arrested and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility, police said. He is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm in public and possession of a false ID.
VeraGalena was arraigned Thursday, according to court records. A preliminary hearing in the case will take place on July 3.
