Press Release - Suspect Arrested for Victim Frank Finney's Murder
April 19, 2024 UPDATE
On April 19, 2024 the East Palo Alto Police Department booked Ernesto Alexis Mora Samayoa (19-year-old East Palo Alto resident) for committing Frank Finney’s murder. Samayoa was already in custody at the San Mateo County Jail for an unrelated crime.
The East Palo Alto Police Department would like to thank our community members who contributed to this investigation and the dedicated members of the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office and San Mateo County Forensics Laboratory, for working so closely with our team. We would also like to thank Mothers Against Murder for generously offering the reward for information.
March 4, 2024 UPDATE
On Saturday March 2, 2024, victim Frank Finney succumbed to the injuries he sustained on February 8, and passed away at Stanford Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Finney’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Thank you to all the community members who have already been working with us to identify Mr. Finney’s attacker, but as of today, we do not have a viable suspect identified.
We need more information. Video surveillance shows a white SUV stopped and appeared to witness the attack on Mr. Finney. The accompanying video surveillance footage shows the attack and the SUV on the top of the screen. We need the occupant(s) of that vehicle to contact us as soon as possible with the vital information they may have.
Mothers Against Murder - Advocating for Victims of Violence has offered a $10,000 reward for information, received within the next 90 days, leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Mr. Finney's murder.
February 9, 2024 ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE
On February 8, 2024, at approximately 8:25pm, East Palo Alto Police were dispatched to investigate a reported stabbing in the area of University Ave. at Bell St. Officers arrived on the scene and discovered two male victims suffering from stab wounds. One victim suffered minor injuries and was treated on scene. The other victim, who sustained life-threatening injuries, was transported to the hospital where he received emergency treatment.
The victims were able to provide a limited description of the suspect. The suspect was described as a Hispanic with a mustache wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. The suspect fled the scene after the stabbing and is unidentified at this time. The victim who suffered life-threatening injuries remains in critical condition. The incident is being actively investigated.
The East Palo Alto Police Department needs our community’s assistance with this investigation. We are seeking information from witnesses and anyone with surveillance video in from the general area between the hours of 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the East Palo Alto Police Department, Acting Detective Sergeant Klein at 650-833-9904.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you may provide information by any of the following means:
- Business phone number 650-853-3160
- Send an anonymous email to epa@tipnow.org
- Send an anonymous text from your cell phone to 650-409-6792
- Leave an anonymous voice mail by calling 650-409-6792
Commander David Santos
650-853-3160
Prepared by:
Chief Jeff Liu
