The double homicide in San Jose on Saturday erupted after a man came back to a party with a gun, according to the family of one of the victims.
The mother of Antonio “Tony Ray” Velasco said a relative who had attended the party told her that two men were asked to leave Velasco’s party, which was held in his aunt’s garage in the 3400 block of Mount Prieta Drive near Mount Pleasant High School early Saturday morning. She said the relative told her the two men came back later and one had a gun.
Just before 5 a.m., police said, a lone shooter fired a hail of bullets into the garage.
Velasco, 30, and his next-door neighbor Joe Ledbetter, 31, were killed — San Jose’s 17th and 18th homicides this year. A 17-year-old was injured; he was treated at a hospital and booked on a probation violation. A fourth man dived out of the way.
Police Sgt. Jason Dwyer could not confirm what Velasco’s mother, Sandra D. Burns, told this newspaper about the events before the shooting. As of Tuesday, Dwyer said, “We are still trying to determine if there is a connection between the victims and the suspect.”
Neighbors said Velasco had been hosting frequent parties in his aunt’s garage. While acknowledging his minor brushes with the law, Velasco’s family said he was never part of a gang and didn’t do drugs. He had many tattoos, but his family said they were of girl’s names or circus clowns. The tattoo stripped across his neck read “Jessica,” for his 3-year-old daughter who died of meningitis the day before Mother’s Day five years ago.
They said he was poised to start a job at the Shoreline Amphitheatre on Monday. Ledbetter had gotten him a job; he worked there too.
“He had been spending time trying to get his head together,” Burns said.
Velasco had planned to visit Jessica’s grave Saturday and then visit his mother in Paradise on Mother’s Day. Burns said her son was excited to have a new job to look forward to.
Velasco’s father, Tony Velasco Sr., called his son a good guy who was always willing to help. He acknowledged his son had a bit of a past, and explained that when his son was arrested on a domestic violence misdemeanor or violating a protective order, it was related to a custody battle with his ex-girlfriend over their remaining daughter, who is now 8.
The family plans to hold Velasco’s funeral Friday.
Ledbetter’s family could not be reached for comment Tuesday. According to court records, Ledbetter has no adult criminal history in Santa Clara County, and neighbors told this newspaper that he was a friendly, helpful neighbor who had recently moved in with his grandmother.
Anyone with information about Saturday’s shooting can call Detective Sgt. Merlin Newton or Detective Juan Vallejo in the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 408-277-5283. Those who want to remain anonymous can call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or visit http://svcrimestoppers.org.
Staff writer Sean Webby contributed to this report. Contact Lisa Fernandez at 408-920-5002.
