Jose Medina Gonzalez, a 33-year-old resident of Santa Maria, California, tragically lost his life on October 6, 2019. Gonzalez, who was well-known in the community as the owner of Latino King's Barber Lounge, was shot multiple times outside the 805 Tacos restaurant. The incident occurred in the afternoon, following an altercation that escalated into violence.
Despite being rushed to Marian Regional Medical Center, Gonzalez succumbed to his injuries.
The Santa Maria Police Department quickly identified the suspect in the shooting as 29-year-old Juan Carlos Hernandez. Hernandez was seen fleeing the scene in a silver 2013 Honda Fit. The investigation revealed that the altercation leading to the shooting was not immediately linked to gang activity, although authorities did not completely rule out the possibility. Friends and co-workers of Gonzalez expressed their shock and grief, remembering him as a dedicated businessman and a kind-hearted individual who was always surrounded by people who cared for him.
In the weeks following the incident, Hernandez was apprehended in Mexico with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service. He was subsequently extradited to Santa Barbara County, where he faced charges of murder and personal use of a firearm. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office charged Hernandez with murder, and he faced the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
The community of Santa Maria mourned the loss of Gonzalez, with many paying tribute to him at his barbershop, which had become a memorial site adorned with flowers and candles. A GoFundMe campaign was also launched to support his family, reflecting the deep impact his death had on those who knew him. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of violence in the area, marking the eighth homicide in Santa Maria that year.
