BY NORAH SHEPPARD-HUTCHINS
Daily Post Staff Writer
A Menlo Park resident died from his injuries after being attacked in front of La Estrellita Market and Deli in East Palo Alto on Thursday, police said.
Police initially received reports at 2:07 p.m. of a male acting erratically and disrobing himself at the 2300 block of University Ave., who was later identified as the suspect. Police then found the victim, a 52-year-old male, at 2:21 p.m. near Taqueria el Jarocho at 2395 University Ave., Capt. Paul Kunkel told the Post.
When police found him, the victim was suffering from “significant” facial injuries. He told police he had been assaulted by the other man.
“It was a physical attack. There were no weapons used, no shots fired and there is no public safety threat,” Kunkel said.
Although the victim was found in front of the taqueria, Kunkel said the initial assault happened in front of the neighboring business, La Estrellita Market and Deli.
The victim was transported to the Stanford Hospital where he died around 5 p.m.
The suspect was taken to the San Mateo County Jail for assault resulting in great bodily injury and parole violation.
Police must work with the District Attorney’s office to determine charges before the suspect’s name can be released, Kunkel said.
The suspect and victim knew each other, but it’s unknown at this time what their relation was, according to Kunkel.
The taqueria was closed off hours following the crime. La Estrellita Market remained open to customers.
At the scene of the crime around 7:00 p.m., about 20 customers of the market gathered around the caution tape to try and figure out what was going on.
The investigation is ongoing. The last murder in East Palo Alto was on April 8, 2024.