Suspect ID’d in SJ officer-related shooting

San Jose police released the identity of a suspect in an officer-involved shooting this morning in San Jose as 24-year-old San Jose resident Steven Pedroza.

Officers responded at 3:23 a.m. to a 7-Eleven store at 1430 Fruitdale Ave. on a report of a person firing a gun toward others.

The officers said they saw Pedroza leaving the store parking lot in a vehicle with two others inside. The officers attempted to stop Pedroza at Meridian and Fruitdale avenues, according to police.

Allegedly, Pedroza stopped the vehicle, leaned out of the driver’s side window and fired a gun at officers, hitting one of the patrol cars, police said.

Three officers shot back and at least one of the shots hit Pedroza.

Pedroza was arrested and taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, according to police.

Officers also arrested, questioned and released a woman passenger in Pedroza’s vehicle.

Pedroza was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer and unlawful discharge of a gun, police said.

The officers in the shooting will be put on paid administrative leave.

The San Jose Police Department’s internal affairs unit, the Independent Police Auditor for the city of San Jose and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office will monitor the case.

Anyone with more information is being asked to call Detective Sgt. Raul Martinez or Detective Jorge Santiago of the Police Department’s homicide unit at (408) 277-5283.

People who want to remain anonymous can call the crime stoppers tip line at (408) 947-STOP (7867).

Bay City News

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