Family members are speaking out after police made arrests in the shooting death of a San Jose Safeway worker. Damian Trujillo reports.
Family members are reacting after police made two arrests in the shooting death of a San Jose Safeway worker.
Flowers and candles still can be found along the sidewalk outside the Safeway store on Hamilton Avenue. It’s a tribute to 24-year-old Manuel Huizar, a Safeway employee who was murdered inside the store on June 5.
“Truly an innocent victim of a horrendous crime that should never have happened,” said Steve Aponte with the San Jose Police Department.
On Thursday, San Jose police said with the help of the U.S. Marshals, they arrested 18-year-old Tavita Tuakalau in Utah. Tuakalau is awaiting extradition to Santa Clara County.
Police also announced the arrest of a second man, Jacob Parrilla. But the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said Friday that there is not enough evidence to charge Parrilla with any crime, so he's being released from jail.
Huizar's family told NBC Bay Area Friday that they were relieved to have at least some answers to their many questions about the victim’s death.
“It was a little relief. I didn't know when this was going to happen and It's been two and a half months and we didn’t hear anything for police. It was kind of quiet,” said Guillermo Huizar Cornejo, the victim’s brother.
Guillermo Huizar Cornejo said the last seven weeks have been agonizing for the family.
“It’s been hard, accepting that he’s gone. It has been a long process. A lot of pain. A lot of crying moments. Sad moments,” he said.
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Safeway shoppers have also been waiting for developments in the case.
“I think it’s great news. I live just down the street from here and this it the kind of thing that just doesn't happen here. So, I’m glad they made an arrest,” said San Jose resident Mike Bernstein.
Guillermo Huizar Cornejo described Manuel as a quiet man, who attended San Jose State University and added that he was a man who went from work, to the gym, to his home.
With the news of an arrest, Huizar's family said they can finally move on to the next phase of grieving.
