SUNNYVALE – Authorities have released the name of a woman who was gunned down Monday morning in Sunnyvale, as well as the name of the suspect, who was later found dead in Cupertino from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office identified the woman as Stacie Lee Mendez, 42, of San Jose, and the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety identified the suspect as Marvin Churchill, 68, of Sunnyvale.
Gunshots were reported around 5:30 a.m. Monday in the 1700 block of Karameos Drive in Sunnyvale. Officers arrived to find Mendez and another woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Mendez died at the scene and the other woman was rushed to a hospital.
Near the crime scene, officers spotted a vehicle they believed was connected to the shooting and tried to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver sped away. Officers pursued the driver into Cupertino, where they lost sight of the vehicle and called off the chase.
Around 6:20 a.m., deputies with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office – the agency that provides police services in Cupertino – located the vehicle in a heavily wooded area near the 17000 block of Stevens Canyon Road. Police said Churchill was found in the vehicle dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Churchill and Mendez knew each other, according to police.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact Detective Eugene Rosette at 408-730-7110.
If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.