SAN JOSE — Two women have been arrested in connection with a deadly July stabbing on a popular downtown nightlife strip, police announced.
The fatal attack was preceded by a physical confrontation on South Second Street near San Fernando Street about an hour after midnight on July 20, according to San Jose police.
Responding police officers found Raymond Manuel Orozco, a 22-year-old Hayward resident, suffering from stabbing injuries. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died.
Soon after, police investigators put out a call for any cellphone video taken of the encounter given that it occurred on a weekend night on a busy downtown stretch.
An ensuing investigation identified San Jose residents Mercedes Bette Rosales, 20, and 18-year-old Micaela Van as suspects in the stabbing, police said. It was not immediately disclosed whether any footage provided by the public contributed to the investigation.
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Police said detectives obtained arrest and search warrants for the two and that on Tuesday, they and the SJPD Covert Response Unit and Violent Crimes Enforcement Team arrested Rosales and Van.
Both women were booked into the Elmwood women’s jail. Police said Rosales was booked on suspicion of murder, and records show she is being held without bail. Van was booked on suspicion of being an accessory to murder, police said, and records show she is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Court records show that Rosales is the subject of two active felony prosecutions, including a case that is set for a preliminary hearing later this month.
The stabbing marked the city’s 15th homicide of the year investigated by San Jose police, a total that has since risen to 17.
Anyone with information about the July 20 homicide can contact the SJPD homicide unit at 408-277-5283 or email Detective Sgt. Ivan Barragan at [email protected] or Detective Mike Harrington at [email protected]. Tips can also be left with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or at siliconvalleycrimestoppers.org.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.