Jose Cortez was 24 when he was shot and killed on January 21, 2018, at the Ascent Apartments in the 5800 block of Charlotte Drive, near Raleigh and Cottle roads in San Jose, California. Officers who responded to reports of shots fired found Cortez with gunshot wounds; he died at the scene.

San Jose police determined his death was a homicide and opened an extensive investigation. In March 2018 detectives arrested multiple suspects in connection with the shooting and charged them with offenses related to the murder; prosecutors presented witness testimony and forensic evidence during subsequent court appearances.

The family and community called for justice and greater public safety in the aftermath. If anyone has information about Jose Cortez or the events that night, please come forward to the San Jose Police Department.