San Jose police on Tuesday released surveillance videos and sought the public's help in cracking four unsolved homicide cases.
Investigators haven't found a connection between the four fatal shootings, but have noticed "similarities," police said, noting that the cases are all connected to Asian cafes.
The most recent crime was around 9:20 p.m. on June 27, when officers responded to a report of a person shot on the 1700 block of Cape Aston Court, police said.
They found a man, later identified as 26-year-old Justin Tran, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Emergency crews pronounced him dead at the scene, police said.
The suspects were reportedly in a black four-door Lexus, believed to have been made between 2008 and 2013. One of them walked up to the driver's side of Tran's car and shot him multiple times, according to police.
Another shooting was reported shortly before 11 p.m. on March 11, when officers went to Bon Mua Café at 1937 Tully Road and learned that a male suspect had fired at two men multiple times in the crowded eatery and then fled, police said.
The victims were transported to a hospital. One of them, later identified as 43-year-old Brian Le, died of his injuries and the other survived, police said.
Local
Police obtained roughly 30 seconds of surveillance video from the café, which shows an armed man in a beanie, zipped-up sweatshirt and pants run through a hallway.
Lt. Paul Spagnoli described the homicide as a "very deliberate act, very quick."
Police are also looking for two suspects in a shooting on Dec. 5, 2014, outside Golden King Café on the 2600 block of Alum Rock Avenue that killed 41-year-old Thach Thiet Dien Duong.
Two Asian men walked up to the victim and shot him multiple times, police said.
"There’s a Vietnamese street gang that’s associated with some of these clubs," Spagnoli said. "[I] can't say these are gang homicides, but I won't be surprised if that ends up being the case."
Security cameras set up outside the business captured one of the suspects in a black sweatshirt with the hood over his head and light-colored plants. The other suspect wore a white and black jacket, a black shirt, black pants and a hat.
The fourth shooting dates back to April 6, 2013, when officers responded to a report of a person shot on the 2000 block of Senter Road and found 37-year-old Viet Quoc Tran of San Jose with at least one gunshot wound, police said.
Tran was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Investigators believe a large party was underway at Elite Car Audio and Performance, and a disturbance may have begun inside and continued outside the venue.
Responding officers were met with resistant attendees, some who either barricaded themselves inside or hid, police said.
Officers were forced to use less-than-lethal projectiles on four people before they were able to clear the building, according to police.
Officers detained 25 people at the party and learned many had links to Vietnamese criminal street gangs, according to police.
San Jose resident Erike Mopress said, "Whoever is out there is getting away with it, and it’s not right. Today, people who live near where some of the crimes were committed are worried the shooters are still out there, but are hopeful justice will be served."
Fellow city resident Aditya Mamtora echoed the same sentiment, but was heartened by the fact that police are actively investigating the cases.
"I think it’s a good sign police are out here, trying to keep the community safe, especially in times of trouble," he said.
There have been 27 homicides in San Jose so far this year.
People with information about any of the homicides are asked to call the Police Department's homicide unit at (408) 277-5283. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-7867.
