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Posted: 8:29 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012
KTVU.com
SAN JOSE, Calif. —
A 15-year-old San Jose boy has been arrested in connection with multiple felonies committed last weekend that left one man dead and a police officer wounded in a shootout, police said Saturday.
The teen, who was the second suspect in the case, was arrested by San Jose and Concord police on Friday in Concord, said a spokesman, San Jose police Officer Albert Morales.
The teen was being held in Juvenile Hall on suspicion of homicide, armed robbery and attempted murder of a police officer stemming from a string of violent crimes on Nov. 16. His name is not being released because of his age.
A $20,000 reward had been offered for information leading to the arrest of the second suspect, but none of the tips led to the teen's arrest, Morales said.
"The way we located him was through investigative work by our officers and detectives," Morales said. "(By) kicking up rocks and talking to people."
The teen's alleged partner, 26-year-old Jonathan Wilbanks, was being held without bail on suspicion of homicide, the attempted murder of a police officer, robbery and other charges after his arrest on the night of the incident.
Wilbanks and the teen were in a car that fit the description of a getaway car used in a series of armed robberies and in a fatal carjacking attempt earlier on Nov. 16, police said. The two shot at an officer who stopped the car, injuring him with "grazing wounds," police said.
"He was trying to get down and get some cover," San Jose police Sgt. Jason Dwyer said. "Rounds struck the windshield and the driver's side window. He's lucky to be alive."
A second officer opened fire, leading the two suspects to speed away in their car, police said. The teen jumped out and ran into a neighborhood, while Wilbanks was arrested after he ran into a house and its residents reported him to police, according to authorities.
Wilbanks, who did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance on Wednesday, is due to return to court on Dec. 5.
Both officers involved in the shootout were on routine, paid administrative leave while the incident was investigated, police said.
Hundreds of grief stricken friends and family of Rory Park-Pettiford, the 22-year-old San Jose resident allegedly shot and killed by the teen, gathered Saturday at a church in Campbell to remember the young man.
Park-Pettiford's family talked to KTVU outside Saturday's memorial service.
“I really appreciate the chance to have known Rory whether he was my son or not,” said Rori Petiford, the victim’s father. “He helped me through a very difficult illness, when I had given up on myself. And he kept me smiling and laughing.”
With the arrests of two suspects Park-Pettiford's high school football coach Tony Santos expressed concern.
“It makes me wonder what goes into a 15-year old's mind when they think having a gun and using a gun, going on a robbery spree/shootout with the police is acceptable," Santos said.
The 22-year-old’s death caused some members of his family to call for political change in San Jose.
"Mayor Reed, he needs to get more police officers on the streets," said Dylan Park-Pettiford, the victim's brother. "And you know, he's handed a hundred or so their pink slips in the last couple years. And that's 100 cops that potentially could have saved my brother's life."
Despite his own loss, Park-Pettiford's father expressed sympathy for the parents of the 15-year-old suspect.
“My prayers go out to his mother and father, because they've lost a child also,” he said.
Numerous people said Park-Pettiford will be remembered as a man who could make complete strangers his best friends almost instantly.
A donation fund to help cover burial costs for the Campbell native has been set up. Payments may be made via www.roryparkdonations.com.
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