Suspect held in Los Altos’ first homicide in 25 years

LOS ALTOS >> Authorities on Monday announced an arrest in the shooting death of a 48-year-old Union City man at a Los Altos residence last week, the city’s first homicide in more than 25 years.

Edgar Lainez-Portillo, 25, of Redwood City, was arrested Friday and booked into Santa Clara County jail, where he is being held without bail, Los Altos police said in a news release.

“Thankfully, there have been few homicides in Los Altos in its history and it is with a sense of pride and purpose that we announce this arrest less than a week after this tragedy,” said Los Altos Police Chief Andy Galea.

Police did not provide details about the case, stating in the news release that “our staff is busy conducting necessary followup, and we will not be conducting any interviews at this time.”

Police instead directed questions to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, which said the case was under review.

Just before 11 a.m. May 4, officers were called to the backyard of a home on the 1000 block of Highlands Circle for a report of a shooting. They arrived to find the victim, Roberto Rivera, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Rivera, who had been hired to do masonry work at the home, was pronounced dead about 20 minutes later.

The death marked the first recorded homicide in the city since 1994, according to police.

“We would like to offer our sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Rivera,” Galea said. “If there is any assistance that we can provide in the difficult days ahead, please know we will be there to support you.”

Galea called the investigation a “true team effort” that involved the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office, Mountain View Police Department, Palo Alto Police Department, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

Mothers Against Murder, a Los Altos-based nonprofit organization, offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the shooting.

Anyone with information about the case can contact Los Altos police Detective Sgt. Cameron Shearer at 650-947-2770, or the department’s anonymous tip line at 650-947-2774. Tips can also be submitted at svcrimestoppers.org or via the P3TIPS mobile app.