2 Men Charged In 2017 Hayward Murder

HAYWARD, CA — Two men have been charged with murder for the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man in Hayward in April 2017, police said Wednesday.

Court records indicate that the Alameda County District Attorney's Office filed murder charges against Jose Esquivel and Carlos Guevara, both 24, on Sept. 18 for the shooting of Santiago Vasquez at College Heights Park off Fielding Drive in Hayward shortly after 8 p.m. on April 22, 2017. Vasquez died at a hospital a short time later.

However, Guevara wasn't arrested until Sept. 26 and Esquivel wasn't arrested until Oct. 3, according to court records.

Prosecutors also charged a third man, 25-year-old Miguel Mata, 25, with robbery, being an accessory to murder and several weapons counts. Mata was arrested on Oct. 9.

Hayward police said Vasquez was hanging out with friends at a birthday party at College Heights Park when he was shot and killed. Hayward police said the three suspects were arrested "as a result of a determined and thorough investigation by the criminal investigations bureau along with the assistance of the patrol division."

They also thanked the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in the case.

Guevara, who lists his occupation as delivery helper, and Esquivel are being held without bail. Mata, who works in construction, is being held in lieu of $270,000 bail.

All three suspects are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 15 for a pretrial hearing.

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— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock