Noozhawk.com delivers local breaking news, local sports, schools, nonprofits, obituaries, business, arts and entertainment, calendar, local opinions and more.
A Santa Maria homicide suspect was nabbed by police over the weekend. Police say 20-year-old Erik Rocha was suspected of shooting 29-year-old Frankie Hernandez early Friday morning near a business on East Grant Street. Detectives caught up
Housing and Development Newsletter
Police on Saturday named Erik Fernandez Rocha, 20, of Santa Maria as a suspect in the shooting and said a warrant had been issued for Rocha’s arrest.
“The exact motive for the shooting is still under investigation,” Flaa said. This incident does not appear to be gang related.”
Detectives did not say what led them to identify Rocha as a shooting suspect.
Anyone with information as to Rocha’s whereabouts or information related to the investigation can call the Santa Maria Police Department at 805.928.3781 x2277; the tip line at 805.928.3781 x2677 (COPS) or Detective Zack Robbins at 805.928.3781 x1361.
Santa Maria police identify victim, suspected shooter in Friday morning homicide
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Santa Maria Police Department has released the identity of both the victim and suspected shooter in Friday morning s homicide.
Police said 29-year-old Frankie Placido Hernandez, of Santa Maria, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in his vehicle near the Broadway overpass and pronounced dead at the scene.
It happened around 2:05 a.m. Police said the shooting occurred behind a 7-Eleven on the 100 block of East Grant Street.
They said Hernandez drove away from the shooting scene and attempted to get on the 101 freeway when he died from his injuries.