San Francisco police announce arrest in fatal shooting of two Santa Rosa men

Two Santa Rosa men were killed Sunday in a shooting atop San Francisco's famed Twin Peaks, leaving their families struggling to come to grips with the violence that took them so young.

Former Elsie Allen High School students Julio Peraza, 21, and Rene Mora, 19, suffered fatal gunshot wounds in the incident, which unfolded shortly after 2 a.m. at the popular lookout over the city. Rene Mora reportedly died at the scene, while Peraza was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Another man, aged 18, was critically wounded in the incident, police told reporters. His name was not immediately released.

San Francisco police said late Monday an arrest had been made, though no motive has been made public.

Mora's family remained stunned Monday night by his death, said his cousin, Roberto Mora, 21. He said he didn't know the other two men with his cousin, though the family suspects they were “doing the tourist thing,” looking at the lighted city and taking photos, he said.

“We're not quite sure what happened,” Roberto Mora said. “For now we're just trying to grieve.”

He said his cousin, one of five siblings, was a positive, fun-loving person with a strong work ethic. In earlier years, Rene Mora had been fond of wearing superhero costumes and business suits to school, often carrying a kid's briefcase, he said.

“He's my little brother, basically,” Roberto Mora said. His parents “are devastated,” he said.

Peraza's family was similarly bereft and in shock. His tearful mother told KRON television about a beautiful boy who worked hard to help his family.

A brother urged viewers who loved their family to “enjoy them right now, because tomorrow could be too late.”

Roberto Mora said he believed his cousin and the other men were random targets. But San Francisco police told reporters they believed the gunman had targeted the trio, then carjacked a GMC Yukon Denali to get away.

That car was traced to a Richmond home on Monday, where the suspect was arrested and his home searched, according to Bay Area media reports.

Police confirmed an arrest, but officials were unavailable to provide any additional information.

A friend of Peraza's has established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover memorial and funeral costs. Information is available here.