Alameda County drive-by shooting suspect charged with attempted murder

NEWARK – A 19-year-old Newark man is facing attempted murder charges in connection with a series of drive-by shootings in Alameda County, according to authorities.

The first shooting happened Dec. 20 in Union City and was followed by two others the same day in Newark, one on Arrowhead Place and the other on Noel Drive, the Newark Police Department said in a news release.

A person was injured in the Noel Drive shooting but has since recovered, police said.

Police said a fourth drive-by shooting happened Feb. 24 on Spruce Street in Newark. No one was injured, but a residence and several vehicles were damaged by gunfire.

Following a months-long investigation, Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force detectives identified Xavier Medina as a suspect in three of the shootings, police said.

Medina was arrested April 1 in Oakland. Police said detectives submitted the case to prosecutors, who charged Medina with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling and committing a felony while out on bail.

Anyone with information related to the shootings can contact Acting Lt. Yama Homayoun at 510-578-4920 or yama.homayoun@newarkca.gov, or the tip line at 510-578-4965.