Paly student shot to death

Palo Alto High School
Palo Alto High School

BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Staff Writer

A 19-year-old East Palo Alto resident who attended Palo Alto High School was identified Friday (Dec. 14) as the young man who had been fatally shot in East Palo Alto.

Danilo Perez died early Thursday (Dec. 13) morning after being shot sometime around 12:29 a.m. on the 1200 block of Beech Street. Police learned of the shooting from their ShotSpotter system, which picks up the sound of gunfire in the community. Perez’s death was the third homicide in East Palo Alto in a year.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, whose office had dealt with Perez previously, confirmed that Perez did go to Paly, but did not know whether he was still attending the school at the time of his death.

Palo Alto School District Superintendent Don Austin did not return messages from the Post on Friday (Dec. 14).

No arrests have been made, nor has any suspect information been released. If anyone has information about the shooting, they are asked to send an email to [email protected], or a voicemail or text message to (650) 409-6792.

Perez’s death was the second in a week to impact the Palo Alto school community. Greene Middle School teacher Kyle Hart died in an encounter with Redwood City police on Monday. An officer shot Hart after he allegedly charged at officers with a butcher knife while attempting to commit suicide, police said.

After Hart’s death, Austin sent out an email to the community, letting parents know that the district’s Student Wellness and Support Services division is partnering with nonprofit Project Safety Net to host a meeting for adult family members and staff at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The meeting is intended to help parents talk with their children and teens about traumatic events.

11 Comments

    • But he had a family and no one really deserves to die i know their family and they are really sad and I don’t think you have the right to judge him.

    • Mimi, your comment is disgusting and I’m sure he must not have lived up to your standards. Danilo was a great person and I know he wouldn’t of been on some website speaking I’ll of the dead. I’m torn between anger and pity right now having read this… Rest In Peace Dlo…you are missed.

    • Mimi, let this family grieve in piece, it is the colonizer mindset you have that is pushing the minority population into this situation, and what keeps the real problems in our society hidden from view. Instead of jumping to a hateful conclusion, ask your self “What if he was my son?”

    • Mimi, you are an ignorant and cruel person. My son was loving and full of life. He was autistic and had issues which were being addressed. He refused to join a gang and this eventually led to his death. You know nothing of him or his loving family. Your racist comments show you know nothing about real life for youth of color and the society we have been left with. Your European standards mean nothing. Let’s talk about standards. You stole our land and rounded up our people for extermination. We still live in inequitable, oppressive conditions today. And you still live on this stolen land. Is your standard to give back that which is taken at gun point or pay reparations for stolen labor and lives? This is not the past it effects native people right now. Don’t talk about societal standards. That is easy from a point of privilege. History plays an essential role in how society is structured today. Your 2 dimensional trump view of the world is toxic. Danilo was very deeply loved. He was turning his life around. Everyone deserves redemption. Especially a 19 year old kid. You are a coward. You post anonymously. He would have done great things if given a little more time. Go troll someone else’s life.

  1. My deepest sympathy to Danilo’s family and especially to his siblings and his devoted parents. What a terrible shock to have this young man’s life cut short. I remember Danilo from his grade school days. He was so full of life and energy. I remember him standing up for another student and explaining to the whole class why they should give that student their respect. It was a brave, considerate thing to do.

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