3 Face Charges In 'Extremely Violent' Attack On 15-Year-Old Santa Clara Boy
SANTA CLARA (KCBS) -- Two men and a woman face charges they lured a Santa Clara teen into a violent robbery attempt, where he was dragged into the street, pistol-whipped and shot in the thigh - with the suspects then aiming the gun at startled onlookers.
All three were arrested separately this week by Santa Clara Police, who also found the handgun in some nearby bushes.
Manuel Ayala, 26, of San Jose; Ralph Hamby, 28, of Milpitas; and Crystal Pajimola, 26, of Mountain House, face premeditated attempted murder, kidnapping and other charges.
Pajimola, held on no bail, was arraigned Thursday. Ayala will be arraigned Friday afternoon at the Hall of Justice in San Jose. Hamby is expected to be arraigned on Monday. If convicted, they could face life in prison.
"This was an extremely violent attack that left one young person badly hurt and a neighborhood shaken," said prosecutor Carolyn Malinsky. "Our thanks go out to the Santa Clara Police Department, who quickly identified these dangerous defendants and brought them into custody."
On March 2, just before midnight, Pajimola called a 15-year-old busboy that she worked with and asked to meet him. When he walked outside of his apartment, Hamby attacked the teen as Pajimola stood by.
Hamby struck him on the head with a handgun, demanded money and dragged him into the street, as the victim pleaded with Hamby not to hurt him. Hamby then fired three shots at the victim, striking his thigh bone, which shattered.
Hamby also pointed the gun at two witnesses and fired it several times at the victim's apartment. Hamby then fled the scene in a car with Pajimola. Evidence showed that Ayala was at the wheel.
The victim survived, after a surgery in which doctors implanted a metal rod in his leg.
If anyone has any further information regarding this case, please contact Santa Clara Police Det. Sgt. Derek Rush at 408-615-4814.
