By Khalida Sarwari
Police have identified a suspect in connection with the killing of a man in San Jose last month and are asking for the public’s help in locating him.
An arrest warrant has been issued for 24-year-old Jaime Soth, of San Jose, in connection with the murder of 20-year-old Jeffery Melanio. Soth is considered armed and dangerous, according to police.
Melanio was shot on the night of March 23 in the 900 block of Lundy Avenue, police said.
He died early Thursday morning at Regional Medical Center of San Jose.
Investigators believe Melanio was shot while standing with some friends in the parking lot of a strip mall.
The group was approached by a second group, and after a verbal altercation, a suspect took out a handgun and shot Melanio before fleeing, police said.
The shooting was San Jose’s 13th homicide of 2011.
Soth is described as a Cambodian man, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 180 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and a medium complexion.
Anyone with information about Soth’s whereabouts is urged to call 911 or Detective Sgt. Tony Mata or Detective Jaime Jimenez in the Police Department’s homicide unit at (408) 277-5283.
People can also leave anonymous tips by calling Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-7867 or visiting www.svcrimestoppers.org, and tipsters may be eligible for a reward.