Crime & Safety
HMB Gang Shooting Suspects Arrested on Attempted Murder Charges
Three men charged with attempted murder were taken into custody this morning.
At approximately 7 a.m. this morning, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office SWAT team and officers from its Half Moon Bay Patrol Bureau arrested three men who they believe are responsible for the that took place on August 14 at First Avenue and Grove Street in Half Moon Bay.
The arrests were made after the Sheriff's Office conducted search warrants at three separate residences in Half Moon Bay.
All were charged with attempted murder with a criminal street gang enhancement, the Sheriff's Office said this morning.
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One victim was shot in the chest, while another was shot in the foot. Both survived.
Christian Serrano DeLeon, 21, is considered by authorities to be the primary suspect in this case. DeLeon was taken into custody in the 400 block of Metzgar Avenue and booked into the San Mateo County jail.
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Marco Antonio Barajas, 18, was taken into custody from a residence located on the 400 block of Willow Street.
A 17-year-old Hispanic male, the third suspect in the shooting case, was taken into custody from a residence in the 100 block of Corona Street. The juvenile has been booked at the San Mateo County Youth Services Center. The juvenile is known to be a resident of Moss Beach.
While the search warrant at 400 Metzgar Avenue was based on the August 14 shooting, warrants for Barajas and the 17-year-old were based on probation searches.
The Sheriff's Investigations Bureau and allied law enforcement agencies assisted with the searches and arrests.
The arrests came less than two days after the city of Half Moon Bay and the Sheriff's Office held a standing-room only about gangs and for concerned residents. Residents have also begun to take matters into their own hands by organizing groups.
Authorities believe that the shooting was an incident linked to tension between rival . Members of both groups are known to live in Half Moon Bay.
The investigation is still ongoing and no further information is available at this time, the Sheriff's Office said.
Half Moon Bay Patch is continuing to follow this story and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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