Vicente Aguilera: Key Developments in 2017 Sunnyvale Shooting Case and Controversial 2025 Bail Decision
Vicente Aguilera-Chavez and Agustin Sandoval were arrested in 2025 for a 2017 Sunnyvale nightclub shooting that killed Edu Veliz-Salgado. Learn about the investigation, gang links, and the controversial no-bail release decision that reignited California’s bail reform debate.
The long-dormant 2017 Sunnyvale nightclub shooting has resurfaced in headlines after Vicente Aguilera-Chavez and Agustin Sandoval were arrested in January 2025 for their alleged roles in the gang-related murder of 21-year-old Edu Veliz-Salgado and the wounding of 24-year-old Carlos Navarro. The renewed investigation—powered by modern forensics, federal funding, and inter-agency collaboration—has reignited debates on gang violence, cold case justice, and California’s bail reform laws.
🔍 Background: The 2017 Sunnyvale Shooting
The shooting occurred around 2 a.m. on June 8, 2017, outside Club La Ronda, located at 927 E. Duane Avenue in Sunnyvale, California.
According to reports, Veliz-Salgado had been ejected from the club for fighting and intoxication. Witnesses said he drove his vehicle the wrong way through the parking lot while shouting gang slogans associated with a Mexican prison gang.
Moments later, a black GMC Yukon SUV, allegedly occupied by Aguilera-Chavez and Sandoval, pulled alongside with its headlights off. Shots were fired from the passenger side, killing Veliz-Salgado and injuring Navarro.
Authorities believe the incident stemmed from rival gang tensions, though the suspects and victims had no personal connection.
For the next seven years, the case went cold due to limited leads and low-quality surveillance footage.
🔬 Breakthrough and Arrests in 2024–2025
The case was revived in 2024 through a $500,000 federal cold-case grant, which enabled DNA analysis, re-examined witness statements, and cross-agency data sharing.
In January 2025, investigators identified and arrested:
- Vicente Aguilera-Chavez (32) – also known as Jose Luischavez Marquez, apprehended in East Palo Alto.
- Agustin Sandoval (35) – arrested in Escalon, San Joaquin County.
Both men were charged with murder, gang-related conspiracy, and firearm enhancements. Aguilera-Chavez’s prior burglary convictions involving a firearm make him subject to California’s three-strikes law, potentially facing a life sentence if convicted.
Agencies involved in the operation included the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS), Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit, FBI, and Stockton Police Department.
⚖️ Controversial Bail Decision and Legal Debate
A major controversy erupted on October 31, 2025, when Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Hector Ramon ordered Aguilera-Chavez’s release without bail, under supervised own recognizance (OR).
Judge Ramon cited Aguilera’s clean record since 2022, strong community ties, and ongoing pop-up food business, invoking the California Supreme Court’s Humphrey ruling, which requires courts to consider non-financial release options to prevent unfair pretrial detention.
However, Assistant District Attorney Stacey Capps criticized the move, warning it endangers public safety and minimizes the brutality of the 2017 killing. Prosecutors have filed a motion to reconsider, which was postponed to November 15, 2025, due to scheduling issues.
Defense attorney Jennifer Redding countered that the case is circumstantial and that the prosecution’s challenge lacks new evidence, emphasizing Aguilera’s presumption of innocence.
📅 Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| June 8, 2017 | Shooting at Club La Ronda; Edu Veliz-Salgado killed, Carlos Navarro injured. |
| 2017–2023 | Case remains unsolved, limited evidence. |
| 2024 | Cold case reopened with new forensic support. |
| Jan. 9–10, 2025 | Aguilera-Chavez and Sandoval arrested and charged. |
| Summer 2025 | Preliminary hearing; both suspects bound for trial. |
| Oct. 31, 2025 | Judge Hector Ramon orders Aguilera-Chavez released on supervised OR. |
| Nov. 2025 | DA challenges release; hearing postponed to Nov. 15. |
👥 Involved Parties
| Name | Role / Details |
|---|---|
| Vicente Aguilera-Chavez | 32, suspect; prior burglary with firearm; released on supervised OR Oct. 31, 2025. |
| Agustin Sandoval | 35, co-defendant; prior burglary sentence; remains in custody. |
| Edu Veliz-Salgado | 21, victim; killed at scene, linked to gang affiliation. |
| Carlos Navarro | 24, survivor of shooting; severely injured. |
| Judge Hector Ramon | Ordered Aguilera-Chavez’s release citing Humphrey ruling. |
| Stacey Capps (ADA) | Prosecutor; critic of bail decision, citing public safety risk. |
| Jennifer Redding (Defense) | Argued evidence is circumstantial; emphasized presumption of innocence. |
💬 Key Takeaways
- The 2017 Sunnyvale nightclub shooting highlights ongoing gang violence in the Bay Area.
- The 2024–2025 investigation demonstrates how federal funding and forensic innovation can revive cold cases.
- The 2025 bail controversy underscores the tension between public safety and pretrial fairness under California’s bail reform laws.
- The case continues to spark debate over judicial discretion, gang prosecution, and the future of criminal justice reform in the state.