Andres Sanchez Arrested for Murder After Hidden Body Found Days Following Hayward Shooting; Witnesses Delayed Reporting Incident, Allowing Suspect to Flee”
A shocking discovery was made on Tuesday night in Hayward, California, when a hidden body was found under dirt and debris near the BART Hayward yard, four days after a shooting incident was witnessed by multiple individuals. The body, later revealed to be a man with gunshot wounds, was located near San Antonio Street and Hayman Street, where witnesses had seen two men arguing before one shot the other on April 26.
According to the Hayward Police Department, witnesses failed to report the shooting until two days later, hindering the initial investigation. Officers searched the area and found evidence of a shooting but were unable to locate any victims or suspects. The case took a dramatic turn on Tuesday afternoon when officers checking the train tracks near Tennyson Road and Leidig Court encountered 38-year-old Andres Sanchez, a Hayward resident.
Sanchez attempted to flee on an all-terrain vehicle and jumped a wall into a residential neighborhood, leading officers on a pursuit. He eventually barricaded himself inside the garage of an occupied residence near the 29000 block of Chance Street. The two homeowners fled as officers arrived, and a tense standoff ensued. With the assistance of Fremont police and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, officers negotiated with Sanchez to surrender.
After Sanchez was apprehended, police located the hidden body, and he was subsequently taken into custody and accused of murder, home invasion robbery, and felony evasion. The identity of the shooting victim has not been released pending formal identification by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. This tragic incident marks Hayward’s fourth homicide of 2024.
The delayed reporting of the shooting by witnesses has raised concerns about the importance of timely communication with law enforcement. The Hayward Police Department is urging anyone with information related to the homicide to come forward and contact Detective Scinto at (510) 293-7176.
As the investigation continues, the community is grappling with the consequences of this senseless act of violence. The arrest of Andres Sanchez brings some closure, but the impact of the delayed reporting highlights the need for swift action in emergency situations.
The residents of Hayward are coming together to support the family and loved ones of the victim, and the police department is committed to ensuring justice is served. The memory of the victim will live on, and the community will work towards healing and moving forward.
In the face of this tragedy, the importance of community engagement and timely reporting cannot be overstated. If you or someone you know has information about this incident, please contact the Hayward Police Department to aid in their ongoing investigation.
