38-year-old man accused in string of 7 pellet gun shootings, California police say

A 38-year-old man accused of shooting seven people in the San Jose area over a period of two months with a high-powered air rifle has been arrested, California police reported.

Nicholas Montoya, of Campbell, faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon, police said in a news release. He was arrested Tuesday, Aug. 2, following an investigation by multiple agencies.

Six people in San Jose and one in Campbell were hit by lead pellets fired from a high-powered air rifle between April 14 and June 15, police said.

Three were shot in San Jose on June 10 within 45 minutes of each other, the release said. Victims range in age from 9 to 56 years old and six are female.

A 15-year-old girl shot in June while walking home from a shopping mall suffered a broken rib and collapsed lung, KRON reported.

In several cases, doctors declined to remove pellets because of the risks involved, police said.

A description of a vehicle police called “unique” and search warrants led to Montoya’s arrest, the release said.

Police ask that anyone with information contact 4533@sanjoseca.gov, 4774@sanjoseca.gov or 408-537-1353

This story was originally published August 4, 2022 at 11:07 AM with the headline "38-year-old man accused in string of 7 pellet gun shootings, California police say."