Amid investigation into murders of two Berkeley brothers, teenager charged with eight counts of possession of firearms

OAKLAND — Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy suspected of possessing an assault weapon, days after he was identified as a person of interest in the killing of two Berkeley brothers at a party in Oakland on last month, authorities said.

The unnamed teenager was arrested after an Oct. 10 police chase through Oakland in which he and three others allegedly tried to evade police in a stolen car. He was booked into a room for minors.

Two days later, authorities arrested Jesse Moreno, 18, of Oakland, for alleged possession of two firearms and ammunition, after identifying him as one of three other occupants of the stolen vehicle. They are currently investigating whether any of the weapons seized were used in the Oct. 1 double homicide, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

Moreno was charged Oct. 14 with eight felonies, including being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, carrying concealed weapons and possessing an assault weapon. He also faces four misdemeanor charges, including reckless driving and disobeying an officer, for allegedly trying to evade police in a Toyota Camry when they attempted to arrest him.

Homicide investigators attempted to question Moreno about the Oakland shooting, but he declined, authorities said. Moreno has pleaded not guilty and is due in court Nov. 28 for a preliminary hearing.

Jazy Sotelo Garcia, 17, left, and her brother Angel Sotelo Garcia, 15, in a recent family photo. Both were shot and killed at a party Saturday in North Oakland. (Courtesy of Melani Garcia)

Brothers Jazy Sotelo Garcia, 17, and Angel Sotelo Garcia, 15, were shot and killed around 10 p.m. during a party at an Airbnb rental home in the 900 block of Apgar Street in North Oakland . The party had about 30 attendees, most of whom were students from Berkeley High. Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong told a news conference in October that the shooting likely stemmed from an altercation involving high school students and that there were two shooters.

So far, no one has been charged in connection with the murders.

Initial reports said the brothers, both students at Berkeley High, were hit by stray gunfire and were not involved in the dispute, police said. Two others were injured but survived. In the days following the shooting, police received reports that the 17-year-old boy had been seen at the party with guns.

Two days after the Oct. 10 police chase, a law enforcement task force conducted a surveillance of Moreno’s Oakland home to arrest him for an outstanding warrant. He was seen leaving the house and entering the Camry, at which point Alameda County sheriff’s deputies attempted to arrest him, authorities said.

Moreno eventually stopped the Camry and attempted to flee, but was apprehended in the 2600 block of Parker Avenue in East Oakland, police said. Two firearms, an AR pistol with an illegal grip and an unregistered homemade semi-automatic handgun, were found in the car, police said. Moreno was not allowed to own firearms until his 30th birthday due to a conviction in juvenile court for robbery, court records show.

Police tried to get Moreno off bail, describing him in a probable cause statement as a gang member with a history of “repeated arrests with a gun and running away from prison.” police”. A judge set his bond at $80,000, records show. He is still being held in Santa Rita prison in Dublin.

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