Daniel Del Toro, a 29-year-old resident of Hayward, California, was tragically shot and killed on July 19, 2017, while pushing his three-month-old son in a stroller on Willow Avenue in unincorporated Hayward. The incident occurred in broad daylight, around 3 p.m., and Del Toro was pronounced dead at the scene. His infant son was unharmed and was immediately placed into protective care.
The community was left in shock by the cold-blooded nature of the killing, especially given that it happened in front of Del Toro's child. Initial investigations suggested that the shooting might have been gang-related, although no suspect information was released at the time.
Further investigations revealed that Del Toro's murder was not a random act of violence but a targeted killing. Del Toro had previously testified in a 2015 trial against members of the Decoto gang, providing crucial information that led to the conviction of Joel Perry Jr. and others for a 2008 shooting in Union City. This act of cooperation with law enforcement put Del Toro on a "bad news list" within the gang community, marking him as a target for retaliation. On the day of his murder, Del Toro was tracked down by Pablo Mendoza and Brandon Follings, reputed gang members from the Decoto and Ice City gangs, respectively. Mendoza's initial attempt to shoot Del Toro failed when his gun jammed, leading to a struggle between the two men. Follings then exited the vehicle and fatally shot Del Toro.
The case saw significant developments in the following years. Mendoza and Follings were both convicted of first-degree murder and the special circumstance of murdering a witness, resulting in life sentences without the possibility of parole. Valeria Boden, who drove the car during the murder, was also charged with murder but later testified against Mendoza and Follings. She received a plea deal, allowing her to plead no contest to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in state prison. The prosecution argued that Del Toro's murder was a direct consequence of his cooperation with law enforcement, highlighting the dangers faced by individuals who testify against gang members.
The murder of Daniel Del Toro underscores the violent retribution that can occur within gang cultures and the risks faced by those who choose to break the code of silence. The case also brought to light the challenges law enforcement faces in protecting witnesses and the ongoing efforts to combat gang violence in communities like Hayward. The community's response to the murder, including the establishment of a makeshift memorial at the scene, reflected the deep impact of the tragedy on local residents and their desire for justice and safety.
