Gilroy Homicide Suspect ID'd, Sought By Cops

GILROY, CA – A 20-year-old Gilroy man was identified Thursday as a suspect in the shooting death two weeks ago of a local resident on Alexander Street in Gilroy, police said.

A warrant was issued for Jay Robert Vasquez, whose whereabouts are unknown but should be considered "armed and dangerous," and is wanted in the killing of 32-year-old Gilroy resident, Jason Contreras, according to the Gilroy Police Department.

Officers responded to a shooting report Nov. 29 at 4:34 p.m. on the 7500 block of Alexander, where they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds outside a residence.

Witnesses told police Contreras engaged in a verbal altercation with another man moments before the shooting, the agency said.

Emergency personnel performed life-saving measures, but Contreras was pronounced dead at the scene, making the case the first homicide of the year in Gilroy. This crime is being investigated as gang-related, police said.

Vasquez is described as light-skinned, 6 feet 2 inches tall, 215 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

Investigators ask anyone with information about Vasquez' whereabouts to call the Gilroy PD at (408) 846-0350 or Detective Eric Cryar at (408) 846-0335. Callers may remain anonymous.

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--Image via Gilroy PD