Pleasanton teen dies of injuries sustained in Hayward shooting

A Pleasanton teenager and recent high school graduate died Wednesday after being taken off life support at the hospital where he had been in critical condition since being shot in Hayward nearly a week earlier, police said Thursday.

Hayward detectives continue to investigate leads in the June 27 overnight shooting that killed an 18-year-old Pleasanton man and injured his 17-year-old friend.

“The evidence collected in this case suggests that this was not a random act of violence,” Hayward police said in a news release issued on Independence Day afternoon. “Additionally, investigators are diligently following all lines of inquiry to identify those responsible, discover motive and determine the events that led to the shooting.”

The Alameda County coroner's office declined to release the dead man's name Thursday night, saying there was a press ban. But supporters of his family created a GoFundMe campaign in recent days and identified him as Denis Bautista, who graduated this year from Amador Valley High School.

“Denis Bautista, a young man of only 18 years old, has left a huge hole in the hearts of his family, friends and loved ones,” the GoFundMe organizers wrote. “Sadly, his life was taken from him and his dreams ended at such a young age. He graduated high school a month ago and had many goals and dreams to achieve. His family is going through a great deal of pain and needs help with medical and funeral expenses.”

The “Support Denis Bautista’s Grieving Family” GoFundMe page has raised more than $25,000 to date.

This is Hayward's sixth homicide of 2024.

“Any loss of life is heartbreaking, and the loss of such young members of our community is even more difficult to comprehend,” Hayward Police Chief Bryan Matthews said in Thursday’s news release.

“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the victims of this incident,” Matthews added. “While no words can ease the pain of losing a loved one, we want to assure the community that we are working tirelessly on this investigation to ensure that those responsible for this tragic event are brought to justice and that the victims’ families can have closure.”

Police have said so far they have found no connection between Bautista's death and the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old rodeo boy in Hayward two nights earlier, but they continue to investigate the matter.

The situation involving the two Pleasanton teens unfolded just after 11 p.m. on June 27. Police said they were responding to a report of a shooting in the area of ​​Mission Boulevard and Industrial Parkway in Hayward when EMS received a call from the 17-year-old boy saying he and his friend had been shot and were fleeing the scene.

Officers located the two victims moments later in the 100 block of West Tennyson Road, police said.

The 17-year-old Pleasanton boy, whose name has not been released, was treated at an area hospital for gunshot wounds and released to his family. But the 18-year-old Pleasanton man was more seriously injured and was in critical condition for nearly six days until he was taken off life support and pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday, police said.

No arrests have been made in the homicide to date, though police said detectives are actively pursuing leads and seeking information related to the case. They added: “There is no indication that this shooting and the homicide that occurred on June 26, 2024, are connected, but it is something that is under review and detectives hope to learn more as the investigation process progresses.”

Anyone with information regarding Bautista's death can contact Hayward Police Detective Scinto at 510-293-7176; reference Hayward Police Department Case No. 2024-35448.

“We want to thank the community for their patience, support and assistance during this investigation,” Matthews said. “Your cooperation and assistance has been invaluable in our efforts to seek justice and keep our community safe. We appreciate your trust and partnership, especially during this difficult time.”

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