San Jose police arrested Anthony John Sanchez in the stabbing death of 18-year-old Leland High School senior Troy Pollett on Sleepy Way near McKean Road. Sanchez, 22, was arrested after police staked out his house on March 20. He's being held without bail and charged with murder, as well as attempted murder, for stabbing Kris Johnson, 19, during the same early-morning attack.

Pollett, Johnson and a third youth were driving back from a Friday-night get-together in Morgan Hill to a friend's house near McKean Road in Almaden Valley for a sleepover around 2:30 a.m. March 20 when a dark sedan began following their car, flashing lights and honking its horn.

According to Amir Mahboobi, 18, the third boy in the car, the teens parked on Kiser Road, a couple blocks away from their destination, not wanting to bring the other car to their friend's driveway.

According to San Jose police spokesman Sgt. Steve Dixon, Sanchez got out of the car—the driver of the sedan, who was not charged, stayed in the car—and Pollett and Johnson got out of their car. One of the teens allegedly punched Sanchez in the right eye before Sanchez allegedly stabbed Pollett and Johnson.

Contributed photograph Anthony Sanchez

"I found out what happened when Amir pounded on the door at 2:30 a.m.," said Rick Honig, father of the teen hosting the sleepover that night.

"They didn't make it to my house because they were afraid to bring those people to my house," Honig said. "I've got a 7-year-old daughter. I thank them for that, but god, come to the house."

"San Jose police and firefighters were on the scene within minutes," Honig added. "They did an excellent job. I thank them for it."

More than 150 friends came to an improvised memorial on Sleepy Way Saturday night. They left flowers, candles, and photos, and as many as 20 spent the night there, according to Honig. Neighbors brought out heaters, snacks and water.

Johnson came straight to the memorial after being released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon, March 21.

Classmates at Leland High School said Pollett wanted to become a personal trainer after graduating this summer. "He was always asking me for free gym passes," Mahboobi told reporters. He and Pollett had planned to play basketball later that Saturday afternoon.

Honig's son Derick met Pollett at school years ago, said Honig. The two played basketball and watched television together almost every day.

"A nice kid. Always polite. Would do anything you asked him to," said Honig of Pollett. "My wife made meatloaf two weeks ago for Troy. He loves his mom's meatloaf, and my wife was worried hers wouldn't be as good. She tried to make it extra special for him."

He sighed and looked away. "I can't believe I won't see him when I come home from work anymore."

Dixon said passengers in one of the cars made an obscene gesture to the people in the other car, but detectives aren't sure who made the gesture. He attributed the quick arrest to "excellent police work" and investigators who worked for 24 hours straight to close the case.

Dixon also said police believe they have found the sedan.

Friends visiting the sidewalk memorial told the Almaden Resident that fingerprints found on a broken glass bottle led police to the driver of the sedan. Dixon declined to comment. "We feel we have a very strong case," he said.

"Troy was a good guy, a funny guy," said Daniel Bertron, 20, who attended Leland with Pollett before graduating in 2002. "He was a good friend, a very loyal person. He'd always have your back. He was a very confident person."

Richard Young said he was at the Morgan Hill house where the evening started. "We were hanging out with them an hour before it happened," said Young, 22. "Someone called us afterward, and we thought it was a big joke, a prank. Then we got here and saw it was real."

Young said that he liked to hang out with Pollett and that they often played pick-up basketball together. "He's just a good kid. He always had a smile on his face," said Young.

Several of Pollett's friends have already tattooed memorials to their fallen friend. Mahboobi had "RIP Troy" with his dates of his birth and death tattooed on his right calf.

On Monday, March 22, at Leland High School, grief counselors were on hand for students who needed help dealing with the loss of their classmate.

Troy Pollett
Memorial Service

A memorial service for Troy Pollett will be held on Friday, March 26, at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 6625 Camden Avenue. The service will include a eulogy and limited open microphone. Internment will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

Donations can be made to the Troy Pollett Memorial Fund, c/o Great Bay Private Capital Banking, 400 Emerson St., Palo Alto, CA 94031.