FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Incident: Homicide Arrest
Location: 34000 block of Torrington Ct.
Date/Time of Incident: December 4, 2018 at 11:18 p.m.
A 21 year old Fremont man was arrested and taken into custody in Pflugerville, Texas on charges of murder and attempt murder in the December 4 shooting that occurred in Fremont’s Northgate neighborhood.
On Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 11:18 p.m., Fremont patrol officers responded to an ascertain the problem call in the 34000 block of Torrington Ct. The initial caller stated they were outside when they heard gun shots and a vehicle collide into a fence. Information from additional 911 callers was that someone was injured.
Officers arrived and located a disabled vehicle that had crashed into the side of a house located at the corner of Chaucer Dr. and Torrington Ct. In the passenger seat, a critically injured 17 year old male was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. A community member was providing first aid and patrol officers took over until Fremont Fire Paramedics arrived. Despite field trauma care, the male was pronounced deceased at 11:35 p.m.
Witnesses reported a second male, later identified as a 19 year old, was seen running from the scene. At 11:50 p.m., a community member called with information which helped officers locate the male nearby. The male was also found to be suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. Information was later confirmed that he was the driver of the victim vehicle at the time of the shooting, and an associate of the deceased. That victim was transported via ambulance to a hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released.
Crimes Against Persons Detectives were called out to assist patrol officers with developing suspect leads and determining the motive in this homicide. The investigation revealed that the shooting occurred during the commission of a transaction involving the sale of marijuana. The suspect, Fremont resident Christian Kelling, a 21 year old male, was selling marijuana to the deceased male and the injured victim. It was determined that a dispute occurred regarding the transaction, prompting Kelling to fire several rounds into the victim vehicle as it fled, striking both victims multiple times. During a search of the victim’s vehicle, marijuana packaged for sales was located.
A search of the City’s Community Cameras revealed that on December 4, 2018, approximately eight minutes after the shooting, a 2013 Honda Civic associated to Kelling was captured traveling northbound on Fremont Blvd. at Enea Ct. This location was the most direct route from the scene of the shooting to the nearest freeway. After collecting evidence, conducting witness interviews, and continued investigation regarding the case, detectives developed probable cause to believe Kelling was the primary suspect in the homicide. On December 12, 2018, a no bail Ramey Warrant for the arrest of Kelling on charges of murder and attempt murder was signed by an Alameda County Judge.
Detectives contacted the Lone Star US Marshal Fugitive Apprehension Unit based out of Austin Texas, due to evidence indicating Kelling had fled to that area in an attempt to avoid capture. Marshals responded to a location in Pflugerville, TX where Kelling was believed to be staying with associates, based on information developed during the investigation. Once in the area, Marshals observed a vehicle with California license plates parked in the driveway of the address. The vehicle was registered to an address in San Leandro, California. San Leandro Police detectives responded to that address and located the 2013 Honda Civic suspect vehicle associated to Kelling parked nearby. The license plates of the vehicle had been removed.
On December 12, 2018, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a team of Marshals took suspect, Christian Kelling into custody at the Pflugerville address. During a search of the home, Marshals located a loaded semi-automatic firearm, additional magazines, a sound suppressor, ammunition, a large quantity of cash, and suspected marijuana. Detectives learned Kelling had arrived at the residence unannounced two days after the shooting, and that Kelling had been making plans to flee the country. All residents contacted at the home denied any knowledge or ownership of the above listed evidence collected.
On Wednesday, December 18, 2018, Kelling was charged in Alameda County based on evidence developed during the investigation. He is expected to be transported to California in the upcoming days to be formally arraigned on the following charges:
- PC 187 - Homicide for the shooting and killing of the 17 year old decedent.
- PC 187/664 - Attempted homicide for the shooting and injuring of the surviving 19 year old victim.
We are saddened by this tragic incident that occurred in our community and we send our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the victims.
We would like to thank San Leandro Police, Pflugerville Police, Austin Police Department, Lone Star US Marshal Fugitive Apprehension Unit (Austin), the Alameda County Coroner’s Office and the Alameda County DA’s Office for their Assistance in this investigation.
This is Fremont’s third homicide of 2018.
Press/Media: Investigative Lt. Mike Tegner has availability to answer questions until 2:00 p.m. today.
CONTACT:
Investigative Lt. Mike Tegner
510-790-6960
[email protected]
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Fremont Police Department’s Crimes Against Person’s Unit at 510-790-6900 or email Detective Nordseth at
[email protected]. We will also accept anonymous tips. Please text Tip FremontPD followed by your short message to 888777.
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