Gun tragedy takes life of police officer’s child
Staff
A 3-year-old Gilroy boy – the son of a San Jose Police officer – died from a gunshot wound Thursday evening, according to the Gilroy Police Department.
According to reports, the boy either accidentally shot himself with a handgun or was accidentally shot by a playmate who was playing with the gun inside a home on the 7500 block of Kentwood Court off Third Street in Gilroy around 6 p.m. Thursday. Police confirmed late Thursday night that the boy died from his wounds.
Police and emergency personnel responded to the home, and "they immediately began to treat the boy for his life-threatening injuries," according to a press release sent out Thursday night.
"Unfortunately, emergency personnel were unable to save the boy and he was pronounced deceased while enroute to a local hospital," the release said.
A neighbor who lives in the area, under condition of anonymity, confirmed the 3-year-old is the son of a San Jose police officer.
Independent sources, who also asked that their names not be used, said the child is the son of veteran San Jose Police Officer Brandon Orlando and his wife, Julie, who is the daughter of longtime Gilroy area swimming coach Jeff Ross.
GPD confirmed the boy is the son of a San Jose Police officer, but did not name him.
"The Gilroy Police Department and San Jose Police Department will continue to ensure the family is supported during this difficult time," the press release said.
Gallacinao said a full investigation would ensue.
Gilroy police said the preliminary investigation confirmed the boy was shot with a handgun. It's unknown at this point if it was his father's police-issued firearm.
The shooting occurred within the Orlando home, while family members were home. The circumstances surrounding how he was shot remains ongoing and are currently being investigated by Gilroy Police Detectives, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office.
A person who lives in the neighborhood witnessed 20 to 30 police officers in the area of Kentwood Court. The source said they heard four children were playing inside when the boy’s mother ran outside screaming and crying.
Around 7 p.m., distraught neighbors stood in their front yards in the manicured neighborhood of middle-class homes.
The corner brick home, where the shooting took place, was surrounded by police crime tape.
At least two Gilroy police officers, wearing paper shoe covers, stood watch while officials from the Coroner’s Office and a Deputy District Attorney conducted their investigation inside. A Lexus was parked in the driveway and a large American flag swayed from a post on a column in front of the two-story home, with a police van parked in front blocking entry to the driveway.
Some neighbors spoke in whispers to one another, while a few others yelled across the way to talk about unrelated news as the night wore on.
Despite the intermittent sound of conversations, the neighborhood was eerily silent Thursday around 8:30 p.m. when police and investigators left the neighborhood for the evening.
After attempts to ask neighbors for comment, all who answered their doors declined.
One neighbor loudly expressed a pervasive sentiment: “This child is part of our family.”
Another Gilroyan on the scene said, “The family is very safe. I don’t know how this could have happened.”
"Since the death involved a child, the Santa Clara County Child Death Protocol was activated to ensure this tragic incident is investigated to its fullest," according to the GPD. The investigation will involve how firearms were stored within the residence as well.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Gilroy Police Department at (408) 846-0350. Parties wishing to remain anonymous may call We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 (800-78-Crime).
As further details are known, there will be updates on our website.