After months of investigation, arrest made in connection with New Year’s shooting in Redwood City

REDWOOD CITY – A Redwood City man was arrested Wednesday on several felony charges after allegedly firing a firearm during New Year’s celebrations.

According to police, the suspect fired his weapon “multiple times” outside a Stambaugh Street residence shortly after midnight on January 1. Officers called to the scene recovered fired and unfired .45 and 9 mm ammunition, but were unable to identify a suspect.

“During the New Year holidays, firearms discharges are all too common and it is usually difficult, if not impossible, to identify the perpetrators. These random and careless acts are particularly dangerous to the community as many community members usually go out celebrating, just as in this case,” police said in a statement on Thursday.

According to investigators, several people, including children, were in the area at the time the suspect was shooting.

After months of investigation, police were able to identify a suspect. On Wednesday evening, officers served the suspect with an arrest warrant at his home in Redwood City.

During the search, police found a .45 caliber pistol and .45 and 9 mm ammunition. A check of the records revealed that the weapon did not belong to him or anyone he knew.

The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Juan Jose VeraGaleana, was arrested and booked into Maguire Correctional Facility, police said. He is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, carrying a loaded weapon in public and possession of a fake ID.

According to court records, Vera Galena was arraigned on Thursday and a preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for July 3.