HMB Gang Shooting Suspect Indicted With Attempted Murder

Last Friday the San Mateo County Criminal Grand Jury returned an indictment against Christian Serrano DeLeon, charging three counts of premeditated and deliberate attempted murder and three counts of felony assault with a firearm.

DeLeon, 21, the man suspected of in Half Moon Bay's Arleta Park neighborhood last August, has been facing three counts of attempted murder with a gang enhancement, three counts of felony assault with a firearm, and possession of marijuana for sale since the Aug. 14 incident. The marijuana was found after a search of his Metzger Street residence.

The prosecutor on the case Joshua Stauffer decided not to add the marijuana charge to the indictment based on proof problems with tying the marijuana to the defendant, according to Steve Wagstaffe, San Mateo County District Attorney.

“The marijuana was apparently found in a backpack that might have belonged to a brother or another and proving the marijuana was his was difficult,” said Wagstaffe. “Since he is facing the far more significant charges of attempted premeditated murder, the marijuana charge was deleted from the indictment charges.”

A known member of the Norteños street gang and Half Moon Bay resident, DeLeon allegedly shot at three Sureños gang members at First Avenue and Grove Street while riding a bicycle when opposing members had a verbal confrontation.

One man was shot in the chest, where the bullet lodged in his sternum. The individual's hand was "possibly" grazed as well, according to the county District Attorney's Office. The second man, identified to be , was shot in the foot. Both survived.

While a third individual was not hit with a bullet, prosecutors believe that the individual's location at the time of the shooting was within the shooting zone. Also according to Wagstaffe's office, one victim has been completely uncooperative and the other victim identified Deleon by his street moniker “Spooky.”

At the time of the incident, DeLeon was out of custody on bail for a gang-related assault case on Dec. 27, 2010, according to the District Attorney's office.

The suspect is currently in custody on no bail status.

Tomorrow the case will continue for the attorney Chris Morales to appear, entry of plea and a jury trial date selected.

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