A San Leandro family’s evening drive turned into a near tragedy in February when a bullet tore into their car and barely missed a one-year-old inside. Now, police say they have the man they believe pulled the trigger.
San Leandro police arrested 37-year-old Juan Estrada on Monday in connection with the Feb. 15 drive-by, taking him into custody without incident in San Lorenzo. The shooting on the 700 block of Barri Drive has been under active investigation since the close call rattled neighbors and officers alike.
In a news release posted by the San Leandro Police Department, investigators said they relied on a mix of Flock public-safety cameras, social media analysis and cellphone records to identify Estrada and track his movements. The department’s post also shows photos of items officers say they seized after the arrest and notes that additional evidence was collected during a later search at Estrada’s San Leandro home. Detectives are still asking anyone with information about the Feb. 15 shooting to contact the department.
What officers recovered
After taking Estrada into custody, investigators recovered a loaded, short-barreled AR-15 style rifle with an extended magazine from his vehicle, according to reporting by SFGATE. That report, which republishes a Bay City News Service dispatch, notes that detectives believe a single round was fired into the family’s vehicle at about 7 PM on Feb. 15.
The bullet just missed the infant inside the car, according to investigators, who also told reporters they do not believe the people in the vehicle were the intended target.
Investigation and next steps
The San Leandro Police Department said the case will be sent to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for review and that Estrada’s arrest was carried out without incident. In the department’s post, Lieutenant Jeff Walton said the investigation reflects the dedication of officers and detectives to keeping the community safe. Police emphasized that community tips and camera footage were crucial for advancing the case and again urged anyone with information to come forward.
