Vallejo man faces murder charge

OAKLAND >> A 27-year-old man spent his birthday in jail on murder charges, two days after he allegedly gunned down a former friend in an area next to a skate park in West Oakland, court records show.

Sean Struckus of Vallejo was charged with murdering 34-year-old Vallejo resident Andrew Tavares in the April 26 shooting. Tavares was shot and killed near Ninth and Pine Streets in West Oakland, near the Lower Bob's skate park, about 4 p.m., police said.

Tavares and Struckus knew one another, according to police, who have not released the suspected motive in the crime. Struckus was arrested two days later, on his 27th birthday, in Vallejo.

According to a probable cause statement by Oakland police, Struckus was observed stashing an unregistered firearm equipped with a “multi-burst trigger” under a car bumper on the 700 block of Mini Drive in Vallejo. Police haven't said if that was the same pistol used to kill Tavares.

The charging records allege Struckus “personally and intentionally” discharged a handgun in the fatal shooting. A probable cause declaration filed by police doesn't specify how Struckus was identified as a suspect within 48 hours of the crime.

Struckus was being held without bail on murder and gun charges. He also has a pending misdemeanor case from November when he was arrested by the California Highway Patrol for allegedly driving while high on psychedelic mushrooms, with a pistol in the car. His court date was Tuesday, but he was not expected to enter a plea, court records show.