Man set on fire, another shot in pair of recent homicides

South Bay authorities are investigating a pair of recent homicides, including a 59-year-old man assaulted and set on fire near Coyote Creek in San Jose.

Information about the homicides, which do not appear to be related, was released in response to inquiries by this news organization.

San Jose firefighters discovered the first victim about 8:15 p.m. May 11 while battling a brush fire on the 1800 block of Senter Road, said San Jose police Officer Gina Tepoorten.

Tepoorten said an initial investigation found that the victim had been assaulted and set on fire. The victim, identified as San Jose resident James Milton, was taken to a hospital, where he remained until his death several weeks later.

A suspect, identified as 41-year-old San Jose resident Angel Luis Bass, was arrested at the scene, Tepoorten said. Officers booked him into Santa Clara County jail on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon but later amended the charge to attempted murder.

Tepoorten said Milton was pronounced dead June 2.

His death marked the city’s 14th homicide of the year.

The District Attorney’s Office has yet to amend the booking charge, Tepoorten said.

The second homicide stemmed from a shooting that was reported in the area of West Virginia and Prevost streets in San Jose just before 11 p.m. June 11. Tepoorten said officers arrived to find 46-year-old Gregory Dominguez suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

Dominguez was taken to a hospital, where he died two days later, Tepoorten said. His death marked the city’s 17th homicide of the year.

Tepoorten said a suspect has not been arrested or identified.

Anyone with information about the first case can contact Detective Sgt. T.J. Lewis and Detective Brian Meeker at 408-277-5283, and anyone with information about the second case can contact Detective Sgt. Paul Hamblin and Detective Ken Rak at 408-277-5283.