Three Reputed Hayward Gang Members Sentenced for 2008 Fremont Shooting

Three reputed gang members from Hayward have received lengthy sentences for their roles in a shooting at a wedding reception in Fremont in 2008 that left one man dead and another injured, police and prosecutors said. Fremont police said the shooting occurred at a reception at the Niles Banquet Hall at 37270 Niles Blvd. at about 8:50 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2008.

Police said about 300 people attended the reception and the shooting took place after there was a scuffle between members of the rival Sureno and Norteno gangs. Francisco Sanchez, a 35-year-old Livermore man, was killed in the shooting. Another man was shot in his stomach but survived his injuries. In 2001, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged Hector Sandoval, Jason Mejia and Richard Lopez with murder and attempted murder along with gang enhancement clauses.

The case against them progressed slowly but at a hearing in front of Alameda County Superior Court Judge Michael Gaffey in Hayward on Sept. 28 the three men pleaded guilty to various charges for their roles in the homicide. On Nov. 13, Gaffey sentenced Sandoval, 24, to 28 years in state prison for his pleas to manslaughter with gang enhancements and assault with a deadly weapon with gang enhancements. Sandoval was a juvenile at the time of the homicide but was prosecuted as an adult. On Oct. 27, Gaffey sentenced Mejia, 27, to 9 years for his plea to an attempted murder charge.

Also on Oct. 27, Gaffey sentenced Lopez, 24, to 5 years for his plea to assault with a deadly weapon with gang enhancements. Lopez, who also was prosecuted as an adult even though he was a juvenile at the time, was previously sentenced to a 14-year term in an unrelated case.

By Bay City News

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