STAFF REPORTS

San Bernardino – A multitude of shootings have occurred in the City of San Bernardino in the last week, making local citizens fearful and concerned that they are not safe even in their own homes.

The week started out with a smoke shop that erupted in gunfire on Mon., July 7. In what appeared to be a gang-related drug deal gone badly, Orlando Wayne Hunt, Jr., 24, from Banning, was found dead, along with four others that were injured, at the corner of East Baseline Street and North Waterman Avenue.

Police Department new release information states that the shooting occurred at around 11 p.m., possibly inside and outside the shop. Hunt was found in the parking lot, three other injured victims were found inside, and the fourth victim was found in a nearby grocery parking lot. All injured persons are described in stable condition.

Police questioned multiple witnesses at the scene; the shooters are described as two African American males.

The very next day, on Tues., July 8 at approximately 9:45 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment complex in the 2600 block of South Copper Lane. At the scene officers found Phillip Andre Jacobs, Sr., 45, in his doorway; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers also found the victim’s 18-year old daughter, who had also been shot; she was rushed to a local hospital in good condition.

It is reported that authorities say it may be a gang-related payback killing, as Jacob’s son, Shazad Mohammad Khan, is a gang member, with the gang allegedly targeting his family for something that he did. Khan is wanted for questioning by police. He is reported as 5’ 10” tall, weighing 140 pounds.

And just one day after Jacob’s shooting death, another shooting took place in a San Bernardino strip mall, leaving 27-year old Juan Carlos Villapudua dead.

On Wed., July 9, in the 2800 block of West Rialto Avenue, Villapudua made contact with an unknown person in a white car (possibly a newer model Nissan, according to reports). Someone in the vehicle fired at the victim and drove off heading east on Rialto Avenue. Villapudua was pronounced dead at the scene, and leaves behind five small children.

These three recent shooting deaths push the total of homicides in San Bernardino to nearly 30 this year, as reported by The Sun. Police are searching for all suspects involved and anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Gary Robertson at (909) 841-5361.