Jazy Sotelo Garcia, a 17-year-old high school student from Berkeley, California, tragically lost his life on October 1, 2022, in a shooting at a house party in North Oakland. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on the 900 block of Apgar Street in the Longfellow neighborhood. Jazy and his 15-year-old brother, Angel Sotelo Garcia, were attending a birthday celebration when gunfire erupted, resulting in their deaths.
The brothers were found with gunshot wounds and, despite life-saving efforts by the police, they succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Two other individuals were also wounded in the shooting but survived.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that the violence stemmed from a verbal altercation at the party. Witnesses reported that the situation escalated quickly, leading to the fatal gunfire. The police believe that one of the victims was mistakenly identified as a rival gang member, although none of the individuals struck by gunfire had any gang affiliations. The tragic event left the community in shock and mourning, with many remembering Jazy as a protective and ambitious young man who was excited about his future and education.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officials arrested Joaquin Godoy, an 18-year-old from Oakland, who was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Godoy, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, is suspected of being one of at least two shooters involved in the incident. The police also arrested a second suspect, who was also 17 at the time, on suspicion of possessing an assault rifle found in a guitar case after a police chase. This second suspect has not yet been charged in connection with the double homicide.
The case has seen significant legal developments, with Godoy being charged in juvenile court. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to try him as an adult, despite the severity of the charges. The investigation also linked the suspects to a subset of a Northern California street gang based in Oakland. This gang affiliation has added complexity to the case, as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and the motivations behind it.
The deaths of Jazy and Angel Sotelo Garcia have had a profound impact on their family and the broader community. The brothers were remembered as loving sons and role models for their four younger siblings. Their tragic deaths have highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence in Oakland and the devastating effects it has on families and communities. The legal proceedings and investigations continue as the community seeks justice for Jazy and Angel.
