Crime & Safety

One Month Later, Campbell Homicide Still Under Investigation

The Campbell Community Center Neighborhood Association met with Campbell Police Tuesday to discuss the March 3 killing of 18-year-old Richard Vega.

 

It's been one month since Campbell experienced its first homicide since 2007.

On March 3, 18-year-old Richard Vega was shot in his neighborhood, just behind the Campbell Community Center fields.

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According to Campbell Police Sgt. Gary Berg, the Campbell resident was found near the intersection of Latimer Avenue and Dunster Drive and gave a brief statement to police. Vega was then transported to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery but died from his wounds.

Investigators are still working on the case but have found no clear motive and no suspect(s) have been apprehended, Berg said.

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Police have concluded that Vega had no gang affiliations and that earlier suggestions that a group that frequents the nearby handball courts may be involved was unfounded.

A dark colored sedan seen leaving the area is still being sought, Berg said.

"While we all see boundaries of Campbell and San Jose, these people don't. San Jose has their fair share of issues but some of those sometimes bleed into Campbell," he said. "We are trying to get answers, not only for the family but for the community as well."

"I don't think this is a trend but I like the fact that people are involved and aware," said Charlie Self of the homicide and subsequent neighborhood meeting.

Self has lived in Campbell since 2007 and says that the neighborhood has always been a quiet one.

He was one of a group of about 27 residents belonging to the Campbell Community Center Neighborhood Association gathered at the Community Center on April 2 to hear the status of this case from Campbell Police Chief Greg Finch and Sgt. Berg.

The neighborhood association's boundaries are from Winchester Boulevard to San Tomas Expressway and Campbell Avenue to Hamilton Avenue.

Residents expressed their concern over general safety within the city, number of car break-ins escalating to residential break-ins, gang activity in the community and nearby, and the desire for increased police patrols.

Finch recognized resident's concern but assured them that this incident was "out of the ordinary." Both he and Berg also broke down the number of crimes along Latimer for the previous six months before the homicide and discussed ways that residents can protect themselves from car break-ins.

Making sure neighbors are watching out for each other and taking all bags and electronics out of cars are some ways to reduce crime, Finch said.

He also told residents that making sure to call Campbell Police every time an incident has happened or if something doesn't feel right about a person or situation in the neighborhood was extremely important.

"Everyone here can be part of reducing that crime rate," he said. "Without the feeling of safety, there is no community.

 

Related articles:

  • No Evidence that Campbell Murder Victim had Gang Affiliations
  • 18-Year-Old Dies of Gunshot Wounds Incurred Sunday Night
  • UPDATE: Too Close for Comfort? Violent Crime Wave in San Jose Nears Campbell Border


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