Suspects arrested in murder of two young Fil-Ams in San Jose, California

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Christian Comilang and Johnson Cular were longtime good buddies from San Jose. Both just finished their freshman year at Independence High School and liked hanging out at Filipino Youth Coalition activities.

 

Their lives were cut down as they were enjoying the start of the summer break.

 

“They died together as friends,” said Sarah Gonzalez, the coalition’s executive director. “They happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

 

The two friends were fatally shot at about 6:30 p.m. on May 26 behind the Kohl’s department store in the 2300 block of McKee Road, authorities said. Christian, 15, died at the scene while Johnson, 16, passed away later at a hospital.

 

About a week later, police arrested Matthew Clifford, 19, of San Jose and Cuahutemoc Lopez-Gomez, 17, of Milpitas in connection with the shooting deaths. 

 

They were each charged with two counts of murder during their joint initial appearance in Santa Clara County Superior Court on June 5. Lopez-Gomez has been charged as an adult. They had yet to enter a plea.

 

Clifford is being held in the county jail without bail while his accomplice is in juvenile hall.

 

“We believe Clifford pulled the trigger,” Deputy District Attorney David Boyd said.

 

Deputy Public Defender Charlie Hendrickson and San Jose attorney Mark Becker showed up on behalf of Clifford and Lopez-Gomez, respectively, during the court hearing. 

 

But Hendrickson and Becker had little comment on the case, citing a lack of information and the fact that public defenders had yet to be officially assigned to the two accused.

 

“All that happened is the case came to court, and it will continue to arraignment,” Hendrickson said. “We don’t represent anybody yet, but it should all be resolved at the next court date.”

 

The suspects were expected to be formally arraigned on June 12.

  

Christian, Johnson and a third companion were walking to a McDonald’s restaurant when the suspects confronted them, authorities said. 

 

The suspects wanted to fight Christian and Johnson and told the victims’ companion to stay back and not get involved, authorities said.

 

As the companion ran off, authorities said, he heard gunfire and saw one of the victims fall to the ground.

 

The exact motive behind the slayings wasn’t clear, but police said they don’t believe it was gang-related.

 

The youth coalition considered Christian and Johnson part of its group and has been taking donations to help the victims’ families.

 

Last weekend, the coalition collected $88 and raised awareness about violence prevention during festivities celebrating Philippine independence at the Eastridge mall.

 

“It’s too much of a tragedy, especially the fact that they were only teens,” Ace Seradilla, the coalition’s activities director, said of the double murder. “We’re doing as much as we can to prevent these killings.”

 

Gonzalez remembered Johnson as having an “infectious smile.” He participated in the coalition’s life-skills and other programs at the high school, she said.

 

Christian was not directly involved with the coalition but had many friends in the group, she said. Christian also attended various coalition events such as movie nights and cultural shows.

 

Gonzalez also described the victims as “just outgoing kids getting ready for the summer.”

People can give to the Christian Paz Comilang Funeral Donation at Comerica Bank. The account number is 8002462391.  

They can also send donations for Johnson’s family to Nelson Orante, 14392 Holden Court, San Jose, CA 95124. - Philippine News