SAN JOSE — A San Francisco man just getting his start in real estate was shot and killed outside a nightclub off Monterey Highway early Saturday.
Michael Arcega, a young-looking 34-year-old, worked as a real estate in the San Carlos office of Keller Williams. Arcega, who had joined the office less than two years ago, was still learning the ropes, said former colleague Lynn Carteris. But he was ambitious and determined and enthusiastic, frequently wanting to bounce ideas off his colleagues or asking for their advice, said Carteris, 57, of Redwood City.
“I just thought he was a cute kid,” said Carteris, who learned about Arcega’s death from her boss. “I really loved him. I thought he was funny and fun.”
She added: “I’m just devastated. It’s so sad.”
Officers were called at 1:54 a.m. to the 1500 block of Monterey Highway, south of Alma Avenue, for reports of shots fired. They arrived to find Arcega suffering from at least one gunshot wound, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office released his name late Saturday.
Arcega’s death marked the city’s 24th homicide of the year. At the same point last year, 29 had been recorded.
Police believe Arcega was shot outside the Lu Beer Club and Restaurant. According to its posted hours, the business is open until midnight, so the shooting would have happened after it closed for the night.
It was not clear why Arcega was in San Jose or whether he was with anyone. Family members contacted by this newspaper either declined to comment or didn’t return calls. Arcega had a step daughter, Carteris said.
No suspects have been identified. A source told this newspaper that the attack may have been a drive-by shooting, but police did not immediately confirm that report.
Police spokesman Sgt. Enrique Garcia said no witnesses have immediately come forward and encourages anyone with information to contact homicide investigators.
“People were running from the scene. We know there are witnesses out there,” Garcia said.
At least one neighbor said he heard six to 10 rounds of gunfire around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
“The shots woke me up,” said the man, who asked not to be named because he fears possible reprisal from the shooter. Around 6:30 a.m., he said he walked with his son down the street toward the crime scene, where he said they saw the victim lying in blood on the sidewalk.
Longtime residents in the area said the restaurant/bar has changed hands over the years, but the shootings and stabbings associated with the site have been constant.
“It’s always the same problem,” said the neighbor awakened by the shooting. “But this time, it really went overboard.”
Residents say they are so fed up with the violence in the area that they’ve been meeting regularly to discuss the problem, and have scheduled another community meeting at 6:45 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Alma Community Center, 136 W. Alma Avenue.
Anyone with information about the case can contact the SJPD homicide unit at 408-277-5283 or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or with svcrimestoppers.org.
