By Khalida Sarwari
The Santa Clara County medical examiner’s office today identified a man who was found dead inside a home in unincorporated Gilroy on Saturday morning as Tony Diaz Velasco.
Velasco, 69, was found deceased in the bedroom of a home in the 2700 block of Leavesley Road, Sgt. Jose Cardoza, a spokesman for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, said.
Cardoza said Velasco died of apparent gunshot wounds.
Deputies did not find any guns at the home.
Velasco lived at that house and rented out smaller dwellings on the property, Cardoza said.
There were others on the property at the time of the shooting, but they were not injured.
Deputies found Velasco after responding shortly after 9 a.m. to a 911 call reporting a shooting, Cardoza said.
He said a motive for the homicide has not been identified.
“We’re still trying to piece together information,” Cardoza said, adding that the crime does not appear to be home invasion-related because nothing was taken from Velasco’s home.
“As far as gang connection, or drugs, its still unclear,” he said.
Three suspects were seen leaving the area in dark clothing, he said. The men wore facial coverings resembling ski masks and were seen running north on Leavesley Road, according to Cardoza.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Detective Sgt. Paula McAllister or Sgt. Ryan Elder at (408) 808-4500 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.
