By Khalida Sarwari
The husband of a woman who is suspected of fatally shooting her with the same gun that was used in a fatal officer-involved shooting in San Jose last week will be arraigned next week on a murder charge.
Marcus Casillas, 23, will be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon on one count of homicide with special circumstances for the use of a firearm in connection with the murder of his 29-year-old wife, Valerie Calderon Casillas, 29, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Lisa McCrary said.
Investigators announced on Thursday that ballistic tests revealed the gun that was used to murder Valerie Casillas was the same semiautomatic pistol allegedly brandished by Valente Galindo at Officer Lee Tassio in the 2100 block of Inman Way on Dec. 15.
In that incident, Tassio shot and killed Galindo after Galindo allegedly pointed the gun at him. Police said Tassio fired in self-defense.
Valerie Casillas was found shot to death on the afternoon of Oct. 5 by a road worker in a remote area near Sierra Road and Skyview Drive, according to police.
Police said the death appears to be a case of domestic violence.
Investigators identified Marcus Casillas, who has been in custody for a probation violation since Oct. 3., as the prime suspect following multiple interviews and an examination of evidence.
Valerie Casillas was reported missing on the evening of Oct. 2, police said. She was last seen entering either a silver Pontiac Grand Prix or a blue Chevrolet Tahoe SUV around 3 a.m. that day near Waverly Avenue and Orlando Drive.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Stewart Davies or Detective Jaime Jimenez at (408) 277-5283. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP (7867) or visit www.svcrimestoppers.org.
