San Jose man arrested in New Year’s Eve attempted homicide

SAN JOSE — A man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly firing a a firearm into a rideshare vehicle on New Year’s Eve, striking one of the three women who were passengers in the car, according to the San Jose Police Department.

Erik Enriquez, a 19-year-old resident of San Jose, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, vandalism and possessing an assault rifle, authorities said in a press release Wednesday.

Around 11:14 p.m. on Dec. 31, officers responded to a report that Enriquez approached a rideshare vehicle that three female victims had entered, authorities said. Enriquez pulled out a firearm, which he fired at the vehicle as it began to drive away.

A bullet struck one of the female passengers, causing non-life threatening injuries, police added. She was transported to a local hospital by the rideshare driver.

Enriquez fled the scene before police arrived. The incident occurred near Don Alfonso Way and Entrada Cedros.

SJPD Assaults Unit detectives identified Enriquez as the suspect, authorities said. He had been arrested “shortly after the shooting” for a separate crime in San Jose, and had a firearm in his possession at the time of his arrest that police believe was used in the New Year’s incident.

Officers then obtained an arrest warrant for Enriquez and a search warrant for his residence, which when executed Tuesday in conjunction with SJPD Covert Response Unit resulted in officers finding an un-serialized assault rifle. Enriquez was arrested in San Jose and booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail, authorities said.

Anyone with further information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Lindenberg #4673 at 4673@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4161.