Jason Coca, 21, of El Sobrante, was shot to death during a Halloween-night party in Pinole on October 31, 2007. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds near Michael Drive and Appian Way shortly after 11:45 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting reportedly occurred during a fight at the party, and it was the third homicide in Pinole that year. No immediate arrests were made after the incident.

Over time the investigation expanded to include multiple suspects and connections to other violent incidents in the area. One man, Charles Robert Miles, was later convicted of first-degree murder for Coca’s death; the prosecution said Miles shot Coca six times because he believed Coca had earlier shot two of his friends, including Patrick Botello. Miles maintained he acted in self-defense and an unloaded gun was found on Coca’s body. The jury convicted Miles of first-degree murder, gang enhancements and related charges, and he received a lengthy prison term.