Police in Morgan Hill say they have solved two murder cases that occurred in 2020 and 2021, the department announced on Nov. 1.
On May 29, 2020, Michael Duran, 18, was driving north on Butterfield Boulevard near Fisher Avenue when he was shot and killed by an occupant of another vehicle.
On Oct. 26, members of the Morgan Hill/Gilroy Regional SWAT team arrested Luis Gomez-Guerra, 19, on suspicion of killing Duran and participation in a street gang.
On July 19, 2021, Humberto Cossio, 33, was shot and killed as he walked through the intersection of Monterey Road and Spring Avenue.
On Oct. 26 and 27, the SWAT team arrested Ricardo Catalan-Murga, 18, and two juveniles—ages 15 and 17—on suspicion of killing Cossio and participation in a street gang. Detectives allege that the 17-year-old was in possession of a firearm at his arrest.
“The Morgan Hill Police Department extends our condolences to the families of Michael Duran and Humberto Cossio,” the department said in a statement. “We thank them for their patience and support during our lengthy investigation.”
In the months and years since the violence was initially reported, MHPD has released more information to the public in an effort to solve the murders. In the case of Cossio, police have released surveillance photos from cameras near the crime scene, depicting a white vehicle that was believed to be involved in the 2021 shooting.
In August 2022, police also released a photo of a young man on a bicycle who officers thought was involved in Cossio’s death.
In February, 2021, MHPD offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Duran’s killer. Police did not say if anyone will collect the reward for the arrest of Gomez-Guerra.
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