A juvenile suspect has now been arrested in connection with the July 25th mass shooting at a birthday party for a Twitch streamer in a Morgan Hill field that had been promoted on social media.
According to a release from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, deputies executed a "high-risk" search warrant in connection with the investigation on Thursday, August 27, at a home in a Salinas, in Monterey County. In the course of serving the search warrant, deputies arrested a 17-year-old suspect, who was safely taken into custody.
The arrest comes following an offer of a $20,000 reward for tips earlier this month, which resulted in numerous tips and videos being submitted. The sheriff's office collaborated with the FBI on the investigation, with the FBI putting up the reward, and the FBI's involvement may indicate that authorities believe there was a gang connection to the violence.
"Those responsible for this senseless shooting should know that the FBI and our law enforcement partners at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office will use every available resource to identify and hold them accountable," said FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble in an earlier statement.
In a statement Thursday, Santa Clara County Sheriff Robert Jonsen thanked all those who came forward with tips, saying, "Their willingness to speak up, along with the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners and the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, has helped move this case closer to justice for the victims and their families."
The suspect, who isn't being named because he is a juvenile, is expected to have a juvenile detention hearing Monday at the Juvenile Justice Courthouse in San Jose.
The shooting occurred in a semi-rural area near Hale and Miramonte avenues in Morgan Hill. An unsanctioned, pop-up-style party or rave was held there to celebrate the birthday of a content creator and Twitch streamer named NateDeBaiits.
Seven people were shot, with one person, 18-year-old Desiderio "Desi" Romero V, dying from his injuries. All of the victims were reportedly in their teens or early 20s.
One attendee at the party, speaking to KTVU after the violence, said that alcohol was likely a factor, and said, "I feel like people around our age obviously unfortunately I don't like to say, but most of us are gang-affiliated, especially the ones that cause this. I would like to say just raise your kids right."
NateDeBaiits posted to Instagram after the shooting saying that he had personally known Romero, and saying he was posting because "someone I called a friend/classmate lost his life at my party and my heart breaks for everyone affected."
Previously: Shooting at Unsanctioned Party for Twitch Streamer In Morgan Hill Field Leaves One Dead, Six Wounded

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