Eighteen-year-old assault could be related to an earlier
conflict
Morgan Hill – An 18-year-old Live Oak High student was assaulted Monday night in what police believe was a gang retaliation attack.
Morgan Hill police Sgt. David Swing said the department received a call at 12:15am Tuesday from Saint Louise Regional Hospital informing officers that Johnny Gonzales of Morgan Hill was being treated for head injuries received during a possible assault.
Because the investigation is ongoing, Swing said, details of the assault are still unclear; from what Gonzales said, he was jumped by someone, possibly more than one suspect, while in the area of Monterey Road and East Edmundson Avenue between 10:30-11pm. He was hit in the head at least three times, apparently with brass knuckles, Swing said.
After the attack, Gonzales walked to a home on nearby Keith Way and was driven to Saint Louise.
Monday’s attack may have been provoked by an incident several weeks earlier at Live Oak High, Swing said. Gonzales and a 15-year-old male Live Oak student, both suspended as a result of the incident, were allegedly fighting on school grounds. The 15-year-old is believed to be a Sureño gang member, while Gonzales is a Norteño.
While breaking up the fight on campus, Swing said, a student supervisor was punched in the face, but her injuries were not serious. Both students were cited and released to their parents charged with alleged battery on a school employee. The 15-year-old teen was also charged with alleged possession of a knife on school grounds.
Swing said Gonzales reported someone, possibly the other student, left voice messages on his answering machine after the fight saying that he would be killed or shot with 13 bullets.
“I think we are going to be concerned about (other gang retaliation incidents) and looking for it,” Swing said. “We are obviously aware and mindful that retaliation is very important to the gang mentality. Our street crimes team will be alert, watching for possible activity, and investigating, looking for the assailants.”
On Sept. 30, 2005, Luis Bautista, 19, of Gilroy was shot and killed in what police believe was gang retaliation for earlier incidents. Anthony Frausto, 19, of Morgan Hill was arrested for alleged murder and is in custody in Santa Clara County Jail. His trial is scheduled to begin in March.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
