San Francisco prosecutors today are filing charges against an alleged gang member suspected of killing two people and critically injuring a third in a crash while trying to flee from police in the city’s Mission District on New Year’s Day.
David Morales, 19, is expected to be arraigned Friday afternoon on two counts of murder and other charges related to an incident that began at about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, district attorney’s office spokeswoman Stephanie Ong Stillman said.
Morales was driving through the Valencia Gardens housing complex at 14th and Guerrero streets and allegedly fired a handgun at three people but missed them, police said.
Witnesses called police and provided a description of the suspect vehicle, which police tried to stop at 21st and Mission streets.
Morales allegedly sped away from police east on 21st Street and crashed shortly afterward into another car traveling north on South Van Ness Avenue, police said.
The victim’s car was sent careening into Muzio’s Wines and Liquor store at the northeast corner of the intersection. An as-yet-identified woman inside the car was killed in the crash, as was 26-year-old Francisco Gutierrez, who was entering the store, according to police.
The male driver of the victim vehicle was hospitalized in critical condition but has since been upgraded to serious, police said.
Morales was also taken to the hospital and a gun was found in his car.
He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, evading police, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and gang enhancements, police said.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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