On the night of November 28, 2016, Sajeel Rehman, a 21-year-old resident of Fremont, was tragically killed in a triple shooting at the Union Landing Shopping Center in Union City, California. The incident occurred during a pre-arranged drug transaction between two groups. Rehman had driven a black Lexus into the parking lot, accompanied by two other individuals. They parked next to a gray Dodge truck occupied by three suspects: Travis Vales, 24, from Clayton, and Alvin Simao, 47, and Stevi Simao, 18, both from Hayward. During the transaction, a struggle ensued, and Vales allegedly fired multiple shots from a high-powered rifle into the Lexus, killing Rehman instantly. A passenger in the front seat and another individual parked nearby were also injured but survived the attack.
Following the shooting, the suspects attempted to flee the scene in their vehicle but were apprehended by police a short distance away without incident. The suspects were subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of an assault weapon, and robbery. The case was forwarded to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where formal charges were filed against all three suspects. The investigation revealed that the shooting was the result of a drug deal gone wrong, highlighting the dangers associated with such illicit activities.
The legal proceedings against the suspects have been ongoing, with the charges reflecting the severity of the crime. The community of Union City was deeply affected by the incident, and law enforcement officials have urged anyone with additional information to come forward to aid in the investigation. The tragic death of Sajeel Rehman serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of involvement in illegal drug transactions and the ripple effects such violence can have on families and communities.
