Suspect in July 3 homicide is arrested at Mexican border

A suspect in the deadly shooting of a Marina woman at a downtown San Jose home last week was caught at the Mexican border while apparently trying to leave California, authorities said.

Daniel Gebrehiwet Zeratsion, 19, of San Jose, was arrested Tuesday evening by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, according to San Jose police. His identity was sent out to law-enforcement agencies following the July 3 shooting.

The exact details of Zeratsion’s arrest were not immediately available. San Jose police Officer Albert Morales said homicide detectives were traveling to southern edge of San Diego to take custody of the suspect and transport him back to Santa Clara County, where he is expected to be booked into jail on suspicion of murder.

Zeratsion was identified as a suspect not long after the shooting reported around 5 p.m. July 3 at a home on South 10th Street between Reed and Margaret streets near Interstate 280.

Officers responding to reports of “loud bangs” coming from the green multi-unit house found 20-year-old Myla Thi Dang, a Marina resident, inside and suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

Dang was pronounced dead at the scene, and police sent out word that she knew her killer. Investigators have not elaborated on the relationship between Dang and Zeratsion.

Zeratsion, who states on his Facebook page that he attends San Jose City College, has no adult criminal record in Santa Clara County, according to court records.

The killing marked the city’s 15th homicide of the year, a number that has since risen to 16 after a San Jose man was stabbed to death Sunday by a female acquaintance.

Anyone with information about the case can contact SJPD homicide Detective Sgt. Mike Montonye or Detective Jason Tanner at 408-2775283. Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP or svcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.