THE CRIME

The Tragic Event

On Friday, June 17th, 2022 at about 10:09 P.M., 22-year-old, Isaiah “Zay” Gabriel Barrera Castillo, was on his way to his grandmother’s house to babysit his little sister and cousins when he was brutally gunned down at the intersection of Fremont Boulevard and Mowry Avenue in Fremont, California. Isaiah was an unarmed, innocent victim. He did not know his murderers. Isaiah was shot multiple times including his head, neck, chest and back. Isaiah's car slowly drifted into the intersection as he slumped over in his vehicle. Despite efforts from the Fremont Fire Department and the Paramedics on scene, Isaiah succumbed to his gunshot wounds at around 10:12 P.M. 

The Investigation

According to the Fremont Police Department and the Juvenile District Attorney, all four suspects involved are juveniles. The FPD recovered Instagram messages between the suspects collaborating on committing carjackings before they crossed paths with Isaiah. On the day of Isaiah's murder, the suspects carjacked a vehicle in Hayward, then carjacked another vehicle off of Stevenson Boulevard, a black Mercedes. This was the vehicle that the suspects used when they murdered Isaiah. Isaiah was driving a silver Mercedes. It is unclear if the suspects wanted Isaiah's car, what prompted the gunman to shoot, or if anything prompted the shooter at all. I say this because three of the suspects are in juvenile hall for three other unrelated, senseless, random shootings/violent crimes/murders. If convicted even for one of the murders, they would be sentenced to life, which for juveniles, means they will be out by the age of 25. Isaiah’s shooter, however, is not incarcerated and is still amongst us. Tthe FPD have tried to file this case at the minimum, 5 times. One of the suspects informed FPD who the shooter was. The Juvenile District Attorney informed me that they will not give the other perpetrators involved in the crime a plea bargain to testify against the shooter in Isaiah's murder, since he is already getting the maximum amount of time a minor could get based off of the other crimes he is being charged with. Pamela Price our new Alameda County D.A. is showing our youth that they can commit as many murders as they want and the maximum age they will be incarcerated for is 25 because she will not charge a juvenile as an adult. The Juvenile District Attorney Matthew Golde, informed me that even a testimony by the suspect is not enough to charge the shooter. He said we would need a witness. FPD however, stated they have enough evidence to charge. I'm currently awaiting a response from the Juvenile D.A.s office regarding my request to meet with them along with this Fremont Police Department and Pamela Price. I have left numerous, upon numerous voicemails for Pamela Price and still have not received a response. I was granted a petition to receive a police report from the Juvenile Court. However, FPD still stated they can not release the report, due to the fact it’s still an ongoing investigation. FPD informed me that I would have to request the Juvenile D.A.s office to email FPD formally stating they will not be filing to receive a report along with Isaiah’s belongings. The Juvenile D.A. stated they cannot do that because Isaiah's murder may be charged at a future time. It has been clarified that the group of juveniles that we're involved with Isaiah's murder we're also in relation the two brothers from Berkeley, Jazy and Angel Soleto Garcia, that were murdered at an Oakland house party, last year.

Time to act

The idea that individuals can roam the streets commiting senseless and random acts of violence is absurd and sickening. To be a 16 year old capable of firing a weapon, you are fully aware of right and wrong. To have such a disregard for human life is horrific. Examples need to be made and Justice for my friend and her loving son should be top priority. Help us show Pamela Price and anyone else who may hesitate to do what is right, just how loud our voice can be. There are strength in numbers, we must remember we hold the power to make change out here!