UPDATE: $10,000 reward offered in Los Altos murder

Roberto Rivera, 48, of Union City, was shot to death in Los Altos on May 4, 2020.

FRIDAY, 5:30 p.m. — Police corrected the spelling of the name of the victim of Monday’s shooting on Highlands Circle. He’s Roberto Rivera, 48, of Union City. Police said he was hired to do masonry work.

THURSDAY, 7:30 p.m. — The group Mothers Against Murder and the Los Altos Police Department are offering a $10,000 reward for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed Roberto Rivera, 48, of Union City, while he was working in the backyard of a Los Altos home.

Police said that the shooter might have fled the neighborhood on a motorcycle.

Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Los Altos police Detective Sgt. Cameron Shearer at (650) 947-2770. Those who wish remain anonymous may call the Los Altos Police Department Tip-Line at (650) 947-2774. Anonymous tips may also be eligible for a cash reward when submitted to Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at svcrimestoppers.org or via the P3TIPS mobile app.

Police say that if you know the identity of the suspect, do not attempt to apprehend them by yourself. Contact law enforcement immediately.

WEDNESDAY, 5:30 p.m. — Los Altos police tonight have identified the victim of the fatal shooting on Highlands Circle as Roberto Rivera, 48, of Union City.

ORIGINAL STORY BELOW

BY SARA TABIN
Daily Post Staff Writer

Los Altos police say a landscaper was the victim of a murder in the backyard of a home in the 1000 block of Highlands Circle.

Authorities have yet to release the identity of the man who was killed Monday (May 4). But Sgt. Steve Spillman said he was shot in the backyard.

Police said they’re looking for the killer.

The residents who live in the home where the man was killed declined to comment to the Post.

At 10:55 a.m. Monday, police responded to the home and found the victim, who was suffering from a gunshot wound. Police immediately began providing medical aid, and were relieved minutes later by firefighter-paramedics from the Santa Clara County Fire Department. The man was declared dead at 11:15 a.m.

The victim didn’t live at the Highlands Circle home. Chief Andy Galea said the victim was working at the house.

Monday was the first day gardeners could resume work under a revised stay-at-home order for Santa Clara County.

The residential area where the man was murdered has nice houses and is blooming with well-cultivated rose gardens and towering palm trees. Many people were out walking their dogs hours after the killing.

The house in question is light gray with a front lawn that appeared to be under renovation.

The last murder in Los Altos was in 1994, according to Spillman.

Police are asking that anyone with information about the case call Detective Sgt. Cameron Shearer at (650) 947-2770. Those who want to remain anonymous can use the police department’s tip line at (650) 947-2774.

4 Comments

  1. The landscaper was shot in the backyard? So the shooter drives to the house, goes into the backyard, kills him and leaves? Did they know each other? Was the family home? Did they see anybody? Any video? A real whodunnit.

  2. Seriously? You shouldn’t be scared. This was a targeted killing. The gunman found this guy in the backyard. It’s not a random killing nor a robbery for money — there are far more wealthy people walking the streets of Los Altos. The gunman isn’t coming after you.

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