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Jesus Guerrero holds a photo of his friend, Gerardo Briseno, who was killed Thursday in what Galt Police say may have been an accidental shooting. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)
Galt man allegedly shot by friend
Police believe it was possibly accidental; man arrested in Lodi
A 19-year-old Galt man was killed Thursday in what police believe may have been an accidental shooting by a friend, who was later arrested in Lodi.
Gerardo Briseno was shot once by a shotgun inside a home in the 600 block of Alice Rae Circle at 10:58 a.m. Thursday. He was pronounced dead at the scene north of A Street, becoming the city's first fatal shooting victim in more than three years.
A friend of Briseno, Hector Quintero, also 19, was arrested in Lodi around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, after Galt police learned that he had been in the home at the time of the shooting.
Quintero was jailed on two unrelated warrants, and prosecutors have not yet decided whether he will face negligent homicide charges, said Galt Police Lt. Jim Uptegrove.
Quintero failed to appear in court in February on a misdemeanor petty theft charge, and a $20,000 warrant was issued for his arrest.
He is now scheduled to appear in Sacramento County Superior Court on Monday.
Detectives met with Sacramento County prosecutors on Friday, and are still investigating matters, including who owned the shotgun, how the young men got it and why two of them fled the scene.
Another 19-year-old also left the scene, and he was arrested Thursday afternoon in Stockton on an unrelated warrant stemming from a juvenile matter. Uptegrove said that man is not a suspect in the shooting.
Two juveniles were in the home at the time of the shooting. They cooperated with police and were released to their parents, Uptegrove said.
Court records show that Briseno was on informal probation for an August 2008 conviction of disturbing the peace by fighting. He also had another such charge last month, but a court hearing on that matter was dropped.
Word of the shooting spread quickly among Briseno's friends, who began organizing a weekend car wash and gathering donations to help with burial expenses. Just days earlier, Briseno's grandfather had died, said friend Francisco Romero, so the family must now deal with two burials.
Romero said the two met while hanging out on Spruce Avenue. They grew closer after Romero was stabbed three years ago.
"(Briseno) was the one who, when I was 19 years old, held me in his arms as I bled," Romero said. "He said, 'Nothing's going to happen to you; we're here for you.'"
On Friday, Romero walked alone through Harvey Park in Galt, standing where he and his friends, some of them gang members, often gather. Then he walked north up several alleyways that they and friends regularly traveled.
"It hurts a lot to know that he's gone just like that. I didn't get to hold him and tell him he was going to be OK," Romero said.
Uptegrove said the shooting itself is not necessarily gang-related, since the victim and suspect were friends. All involved parties were known to police and both the suspect and victim had "gang affiliations," Uptegrove said. Family members could not be reached for comment.
"He made a mistake," Felix Nunez said of the suspected shooter, who'd been friends with Briseno since childhood. "He'll have to deal with it, and we'll try to support him."
Fundraiser
Friends of Gerardo Briseno will hold a car wash Sunday at Central Valley Center Thrift, 330 S. Lincoln Way. A store employee said the event will start as early as 9 a.m.
Briseno's friends' main goal for Friday was to gather forces to raise money. They said they also wanted people to know that Briseno was not just another name.
"We're here for him, for his family, for his friends," said 24-year-old Jesus Guerrero. "He was a happy person. He wanted to get married, have kids. Now he can't have that."
Friends said Briseno, loved hot Cheetos, had a longtime girlfriend, was an aspiring rapper and had played football at Galt High School. He was a fan of the Oakland Raiders, a cause of friendly bickering with Guerrero, who's not exactly a Raider fan, he said with a smile.
His nickname was "Largo," a Spanish word for "long," because Briseno was tall.
"He was a big old giant. Outgoing, skinny, big old arms. I'm all out of tears now and I can't cry anymore," Romero said.
Thursday's incident was the first fatal shooting in Galt in more than three years.
In July 2006, two men were fatally shot when a fight broke out at a party on Bay Shore Drive in east Galt. Xavier Rodriguez apparently shot Alejandro Bautista, whose brother, Mario Bautista, then shot Rodriguez. Mario Bautista eventually pleaded no contest to manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.
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Editor's Note: Comments have been closed on this story because a number of readers were making offensive statements about other commenters and/or the individual or individuals mentioned in the story. That kind of behavior is a breach of our commenting policy, and so the comment function has been turned off. We appreciate your understanding.
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kona0912 wrote on Sep 24, 2009 6:09 PM:
LOCS wrote on Sep 21, 2009 12:48 PM:
kona0912 wrote on Sep 17, 2009 9:26 PM:
kona0912 wrote on Sep 17, 2009 9:25 PM:
1stocktonian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 8:37 AM:
Editor's Note: Comments have been closed on this story because a number of readers were making offensive statements about other commenters and/or the individual or individuals mentioned in the story. That kind of behavior is a breach of our commenting policy, and so the comment function has been turned off. We appreciate your understanding.
what does this mean? i am still posting comments. "
1stocktonian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 8:34 AM:
wrong. maybe i am dyslexic. apologies to kona.
no need for you others to call me names. i read it wrong and i asked kona a valid question. "
95242 wrote on Sep 17, 2009 3:10 AM:
3.8.90-9.10.90????
what's that suppoesed to mean?
he was 6 months and 2 days old?
Wow Stocktonian, you must be drunk! She wrote 3.8.90-9.10.09. That would make him 19! You should quit trying to bully this young girl too! Looks bad! "
action wrote on Sep 17, 2009 3:06 AM:
RIP GERARDO BRISENO "
1stocktonian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 8:14 AM:
1stocktonian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 8:10 AM:
" I THINK YOU GUYS NEED TO JUST STOP TALKIN CRAP, IF THIS WAS YOUR FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND YOU WOULDNT WANT PEOPLE TALKIN MESS RIIIGHT? SO I SUGGEST YOU SHUT UP. GERARDO AND HECTOR ARE BOTH GOOD FRIENDS OF MINE IT IS HARDER THEN HELL TO SEE GERARDO GONE.. AND TO KNOW HECTOR DID IT IS HARDER. RIP LARGO WE LOVE AND MISS YOU.
3.8.90-9.10.09 "
//////////////////////
3.8.90-9.10.90????
what's that suppoesed to mean?
he was 6 months and 2 days old?
lol "
galt mom wrote on Sep 15, 2009 10:00 AM:
edumacation wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:11 AM:
I have the second amendment right to carry weapons, and it is not normal practice in MY DEMOGRAPHIC ethnic to careyy wepaond toa party where people may be using drugs or alcohol. This is a very danerous mixture. Add to that young wannabe or regular gangbangers, the whole latino gang culture of "respect and "disrespect" for homies, and NOTHING will be good about the result. If you want tears, lets cry for the INNOCENT humans who could have been killed by any of these jerks.
If you went to a party like this, would you stay if you knew that attendees were the RYPES who carry deadly weapons around casually like a toothbrush?
35-life might "rehabilitate"
each one of them. "
galt mom wrote on Sep 15, 2009 6:40 AM:
sentimental_76 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:32 PM:
weezer wrote on Sep 14, 2009 8:58 AM:
Please, don't say that the victim did NOTHING wrong. Hanging out with the wrong group of so-called "friends" is wrong.
What's worse is if it happened to an average teen who's NOT into gangs but just crossed these COWARDS. Did you bother to ask your "friends" how many times they ganged up on non-gangbangers from Galt High?
One young innocent person would then be not able to even get married and have a family yet. I expect normal people to say that "this innocent young man didn't deserve it." "
jbhiker wrote on Sep 14, 2009 8:52 AM:
galtguy wrote on Sep 13, 2009 8:41 PM:
Scott- Not bad but the real question is how could we get the riders of said train or Mexico itself to pay for the trip. Then we'd have something. "
jbhiker wrote on Sep 13, 2009 4:49 PM:
edumacation wrote on Sep 13, 2009 4:14 PM:
You would NEVER have to load more than one train. They will run to the border to avoid the new id system. How will they get free benfits with a TATTOO on the ear with ILLEGAL ID tag?
No worky--no money. "
scott wrote on Sep 13, 2009 2:53 PM:
galtguy wrote on Sep 13, 2009 2:31 PM:
CLOSE THE BORDER NOW! "
truckerz wrote on Sep 13, 2009 2:06 PM:
It was your first post that inspired me to post!
"Further proof of Darwin's theories.." you stated.
While I saw it as further proof of the Bible's proclamation of a devil and a legion of fallen angels. (Ephesians 6:12 is a bible verse, by the way.)
I never said this thing wasn't gang related...I'm sure it was. I was simply including the spiritual aspect(if you believe in God) of this crime, aside from the obvious... 'nuf said. "
dogs4you wrote on Sep 13, 2009 1:39 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 13, 2009 11:24 AM:
jbhiker wrote on Sep 13, 2009 11:22 AM:
j93209 wrote on Sep 13, 2009 10:57 AM:
truckerz wrote on Sep 13, 2009 10:27 AM:
I've read all the opinions posted concerning the underlying causes of this tragic and senseless death. And I had to ask myself, "are open borders, gangs, parenting, poor gun training the real root cause, or perhaps a mere symptom of a much larger, more insidious problem?"
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places".
Ephesians 6:12
Not my opinion........His.
I have no stones to throw. "
edumacation wrote on Sep 13, 2009 9:32 AM:
I am not doing this "impolitely" just OBJECTIVELY. Our local LEO showed us "the map". Ohh goody goody---interesting names, interesting rap sheets, interesting ethnicity.
if it walks like a duck and looks like a duck---It must be e DUCK!
ALL of our "hood", watches for these cholito behaviors.
ITS OUR PROPERTY VALUES. These people are squatters.
Who wants to live in TJ? WHO WANTS CHOLOS, CHOLITOS and CHOLITAS stealing, and disrupting the "hood".
If "something" happens, we document it. When the case goes to court, so does the evidence and HISTORY of their CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE. We don't want criminals in our hood. ?comprende?
Here is how it starts: Cars parked on the streets instead of in the garages, cars parked in driveways, and the colorful red or blue clowns with their baggy pantalones.
I never mentioned skin color YOU did. "
Silver1Sprg wrote on Sep 13, 2009 9:12 AM:
And I just wonder why a bunch of mexicans 'boys' are sitting in a house late in the morning on a Thursday. Why arn't they in school or at work? Or is drug dealing now considered a job? MS 13 gangs are the worst. Like I said, the police had better get cracking on these idiots or we can just hope they'll consider shooting each other - accident or not. "
jbhiker wrote on Sep 13, 2009 6:55 AM:
jbhiker wrote on Sep 13, 2009 6:52 AM:
Galtguy wrote on Sep 13, 2009 5:21 AM:
It means just what it says. CLOSE THE BRODER NOW! To all passage of all human traffic, BOTH WAYS. Freight and commerce is fine. Trade is good. NAFTA is fine. I'm referring to ALL immigration from the South. You're a dam ignorant fool if you don't think this has to do with illegal immigration.
You are a walking cliche' Action. Let's see, they provide manpower? At what cost, real cost? By the time we as a society provide health care, school their kids, feed them, and put those same kids in jail (as gang members, are you getting the tie in to this story) the cost to the American society far out weighs any contribution their labor provides.
When you state, "one of the most powerful economies in the world" are you saying our economy is based on the meager contribution of LABOR? Have you ever once taken a class in economics? Did you even walk by the class? Your claim is so ridiculus I will not waste my time refuting it. "
action wrote on Sep 13, 2009 3:28 AM:
Although I do not agree with the exploitation of such a horrific story in order to spread ones views on certain political issues such as illegal immigration.... forgive me for being hypocritical... but after reading these comments from cold hard headed Individuals, who post loaded comments like "Close the border now" on a story which has absolutely nothing to do with illegal immigration, I have become quite upset and disgusted. Therefore I feel as if I need to provide another side to this argument not for the whole world to see just you careless "hard talking" individuals.
So here it goes. What is exactly is meant by "CLOSE THE BORDER NOW" Does that include building a huge 50 story wall completely surrounding the United States of America...does it include blocking any foreign websites from reaching our computer screens... does it entail not allowing any foreigner to step foot on American soil...does it "
action wrote on Sep 13, 2009 3:26 AM:
Or are we simply trying to keep the MEXICAN PEOPLE where they belong…IDK YOU GUYS TELL ME.
So what problem do you people have with these illegal immigrants is it the fact they come here to earn a descent living for their families to accomplish a goal known as the American Dream. Is it the fact they come here and provide the MAN POWER needed to fill the jobs that most people see as low class jobs. Or could it quite possibly be the fact that illegal immigrants contribute a great chunk of their paychecks, which they will never see again, to some failing system known as social security…which by the way later becomes claimed by LEGAL US CITIZENS. To be quite honest these individuals are a vital part to this nations economy…not to mention making California, a border state, one of the most powerful economies in the world. "
action wrote on Sep 13, 2009 3:24 AM:
So addressing the true problem at hand…GANG ACTIVITY… yes a gang is usually a group of like minded people who can/do/might/probably share the same ideals, principles, beliefs, goals, culture, gender, ethnicity, heritage, name, skin color…etc etc but they are definitely not always Hispanic nor illegal immigrants. There are white, black, blue, red, democrats, republicans, these are all examples of different gangs and they are all guilty of the same crimes so attacking just one is not fair.
Although I truly agree that gang activity is tearing apart our communities, there is no reason to play the blame game because the only people who are to blame are people such as yourselves who say things like I fear for my childs security because the gangsters are all over MY city please SOMEONE else do something about it. "
action wrote on Sep 13, 2009 3:20 AM:
Please people lets start being real and realizing that first of all “This is your land, This land Is my land” and that it is everyone’s responsibility to take care of it. If you want something done you have to do it yourself, don’t just sit around and type away on your computer, get out there and do something about it. Be productive, GANG ACTIVITY IS NOT PRODUCTIVE.
Thanks for letting me put in my two cents.
RIP GERARDO BRISENO.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family. "
action wrote on Sep 13, 2009 3:17 AM:
So addressing the true problem at hand…GANG ACTIVITY… yes a gang is usually a group of like minded people who can/do/might/probably share the same ideals, principles, beliefs, goals, culture, gender, ethnicity, heritage, name, skin color…etc etc but they are definitely not always Hispanic nor illegal immigrants. There are white, black, blue, red, motorcycle, democrats, republicans, these are all examples of different gangs and they are all guilty of the same crimes so attacking just one is not fair. "
kona0912 wrote on Sep 13, 2009 12:58 AM:
kona0912 wrote on Sep 13, 2009 12:53 AM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 12, 2009 9:21 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Sep 12, 2009 9:09 PM:
95242 wrote on Sep 12, 2009 8:25 PM:
edumacation wrote on Sep 12, 2009 7:58 PM:
edumacation wrote on Sep 12, 2009 7:57 PM:
edumacation wrote on Sep 12, 2009 7:55 PM:
edumacation wrote on Sep 12, 2009 7:53 PM:
Why don't you guys just get out of your closets and get together---without robbing or stealing or killing others?
In that way---you can fulfill your TRUE desires (gang or no gang affiliation) and not create so many problems among the normal (heterosexual) population.
It seems like a no-brainer. Admit who you REALLY are and what you REALLy want, and leave the rest of the law abiding society alone.
I guess you could always GO BACK to wherever you learned this curious behavior? "
jbhiker wrote on Sep 12, 2009 7:27 PM:
kona0912 wrote on Sep 12, 2009 5:56 PM:
alf wrote on Sep 12, 2009 4:59 PM:
dogs4you wrote on Sep 12, 2009 2:03 PM:
ameriCAN wrote on Sep 12, 2009 1:39 PM:
T & C wrote on Sep 12, 2009 1:20 PM:
scott wrote on Sep 12, 2009 1:19 PM:
kona0912 wrote on Sep 12, 2009 1:11 PM:
3.8.90-9.10.09 "
dogs4you wrote on Sep 12, 2009 12:17 PM:
Like the bug comercial, their here and their hungry, I believe that applys to the gangs of Galt also, ready to relieve someone of their life for some stupid unknown reason.
4change states, get a life you silly little boys, considering the source, I suggest you do the same. "
jbhiker wrote on Sep 12, 2009 11:18 AM:
lodivice wrote on Sep 12, 2009 10:04 AM:
hip hop "
tyme4change wrote on Sep 12, 2009 8:29 AM:
T & C wrote on Sep 12, 2009 8:17 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.