Redwood City Man Charged With Murder In Los Altos Shooting

REDWOOD CITY, CA — A Redwood City man has been charged in a murder that occurred during a backyard shooting on May 4 in Los Altos involving the ex-boyfriend of the man’s girlfriend, according to police reports. The homicide was the first in Los Altos since 1994.

Edgar Lainez-Portillo, 25, was charged Wednesday with one count of murder and firearm enhancement, the San Jose Mercury-News reported. A Los Altos police investigative report given to prosecutors states that Lainez-Portillo was dating an ex-girlfriend of Roberto Rivera, 48, who was killed in the shooting. The report stated that the woman told police that Lainez-Portillo exhibited jealously over another boyfriend but had never expressed serious feelings about Rivera specifically.

Deputy District Attorney Bryan Slater told the newspaper that it is unclear whether Lainez-Portillo and Rivera had prior contact before the shooting, which occurred just before 11 a.m. on May 4. On that date, police were called to a home on Highlands Circle to respond to a report of a shooting victim. Officers arrived to find Rivera slumped over on his knees in the back yard of the home with apparent gun shots to the back and head.

According to the police report, Rivera was on the property doing masonry work. Investigators reviewed home video footage taken at the residence, which showed the suspect pulling up on a blue motorcycle with gold rims. The footage showed Lainez-Portillo wearing a mostly black motorcycle outfit. He is seen pulling out a handgun out of his jacket before he disappears out of view of the security camera. Four gunshots are then heard on the video footage, which then shows the defendant running from the yard and leaving on the motorcycle.

Lainez-Portillo’s girlfriend and a neighbor confirmed to police that the defendant was riding a motorcycle similar to what was seen on the footage. The man’s girlfriend told police she had ended the relationship with Lainez-Portillo three days before the shooting.

According to the Mercury-News, police obtained an arrest warrant and found his motorcycle helmet, jacket and boots and found his motorcycle covered in the front yard of his home. After being arraigned Wednesday, Lainez-Portillo was sent to the Santa Clara County Jail. He is scheduled to return to court June 23 in Palo Alto.