Authorities identify Novato teen killed in shooting, stabbing

ByLyanne Melendez and Sergio Quintana KGO logo
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Authorities identify Novato teen killed in shooting, stabbing
Authorities identity of the Novato High School student that police say was killed by two fellow students.

NOVATO, Calif. (KGO) -- Authorities identity of the Novato High School student that police say was killed by two fellow students.

Investigators said the teen killed Wednesday at a Novato hiking trail is 17-year-old Edwin Josue Ramirez Guerra. Another teen was also critically wounded.

RELATED: 3 suspects at large after 1 killed in Novato double-shooting

Investigators say they are close to locating a third person connected the shooting. They say four teens from Novato High School and a fifth person met on a trail near the school on Wednesday.

Two were shot and stabbed. One died and the other was left to die, but managed to call 911.

On Thursday, a SWAT team went to the home of a 17-year-old male and arrested him. A few hours later they arrested a 16-year-old.

"Statements from the victim himself. Statement from witnesses. Thankfully, we've had a lot of help from the community who are very aware of this investigation going on," said Marin County Sheriff's Lt. Doug Pittman.

At the apartment community where SWAT teams swooped in to arrest a 17-year-old suspect Thursday, neighbors say he's a seemingly well behaved young man.

Neighbor Yolanda Araia said he's a good boy - he comes from a good family. Both suspects in custody are facing murder charges.

The incident has sent shock waves through the community. The city's mayor held a news conference Friday to address the incident.

"Violence will not be tolerated in our city. Any life lost is one too many. Not in our town," said Novato Mayor Pat Eklund said.

During a Friday afternoon news conference, there was a question whether this week's attack was related to a sexual assault case reported to Novato police in a park last week.

"There are some common names, but whether there's any true nexus between that and the investigation we have right now, we have not clearly defined that. We're looking into that, as many investigations," Pittman said.

They say the teens in custody may be tried as adults.

At Novato High School, students were invited to meet with grief counselors if needed. A candlelight vigil planned for Sunday at the high school has been canceled.