The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Sad Site: Flowers, mementos and chalked birthday greetings mark the spot on Settle Avenue where 14-year-old Oscar Perez died.

Family and community leaders gather to mourn slain teenager

Speakers vow to 'stop the violence' and to protect the children

By Christine Frey

Running from his front yard, a 5-year-old boy yells goodbye to his father and hurries down the street. Summer evenings like June 19 are prime for playing outdoors. But this young boy is not in search of playmates. Half a block from his home, he reaches his destination: a community gathering to mourn the death of 14-year-old Oscar Perez.

Nearly 100 people gather in the parking lot on the corner of Willow Street and Settle Avenue where Oscar was stabbed to death on June 13--one day before his 15th birthday. Chalked birthday messages and flowers cover the sidewalk, and a nearby palm tree bears Oscar's photograph.

"No neighborhood has a wall around it," Willow Glen Neighborhood Association president Kris Cunningham says to the crowd. Oscar's murder, Willow Glen's first homicide of the year, attests to that.

Family members are easily distinguishable, wearing black pants and white T-shirts which read, "You will be in our hearts." They stand close together and console one another as singers perform "Turn, Turn, Turn," a local clergyman leads a group prayer and community representatives speak of the need to prevent further tragedies.

"Stop the violence. Stop the violence," says Jim McEntee, director of the Santa Clara County Office of Human Relations. "Let each one of us take the necessary steps to stop the violence in our cities, in our communities, in our neighborhoods and in our homes."

Cunningham vows to keep a close eye on the children in her neighborhood and urges other residents to do the same. "We are here to help protect one another's children," she says. "We should know that there's someone looking out for them."

Gil Villagran from the county's Office of Community Development and Relations says violence is becoming too common in local communities. Referring to the group of young children attending the memorial, he says, "I don't want to come back 10 years from now, when they're 15 years old, and do this again."

According to police, Oscar and a girl were walking westbound on Willow Street on Saturday, June 13, when the two began to argue with a group of five to eight Hispanic males and females in their late teens or early 20s who were driving by in a small white vehicle. The group in the vehicle chased and caught Oscar at Willow and Settle, where they stabbed him numerous times.

Anyone with information about the killing should call San Jose Police Homicide detectives Ernie Alcantar or Pete Ramirez at 277-5283. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 947-STOP.

Car wash proceeds help cover costs

The Gardner Community Center sponsored a car wash June 19 to raise money for the funeral expenses of Oscar Perez.The event raised $937.

"It was the best car wash we've ever had," said Norma Mendez, assistant treasurer of the Gardner Community Center Advisory Council. The council donated $363 of its own funds to bring the total contribution to $1,300. Many patrons donated more than the recommended $5 fee, Mendez added.

Mendez says the car wash was constantly busy during the 3 1/2 hours it was open at the Gardner Community Center on W. Virginia Street. Members of the council, Los Padres, Victory Outreach and Barrios Unidos volunteered at the event.

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