In the late morning of April 20, 2025, a sense of unease settled over an apartment complex on East Milton Road in Tucson. The quiet was shattered by the sound of gunfire, prompting a call to the authorities at approximately 11:00 a.m. When patrol officers arrived at the scene, they discovered a grim situation inside one of the apartments. A man, later identified as 33-year-old Fernando Issac Pablos, was found with gunshot trauma.
Officers immediately began rendering aid, and their life-saving efforts were soon taken over by personnel from the Tucson Fire Department. Despite their combined attempts to save him, Fernando Pablos succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. His family arrived at the complex and were notified of his tragic passing.
Detectives from the Tucson Police Department's Homicide Unit and the Crime Scene Unit were called in to take over the investigation. They learned that a confrontation had occurred within the apartment, which ultimately escalated to the fatal shooting. By the time officers had arrived, no suspects were present. Through a combination of interviews and the processing of evidence at the scene, investigators were able to identify a female suspect.
The investigation quickly led to 33-year-old Ambar Esthela Morales. On April 21, 2025, officers with the Operations Division South/Community Response Team located and apprehended her. Morales was subsequently charged with felony murder and first-degree burglary. As the investigation continued, a second suspect was identified. Manny Romero Jr., 31, was arrested the following day. Both Morales and Romero are being held on a $1,000,000 bond, facing charges of first-degree burglary and murder. The investigation remains ongoing, and further details may be released as they become available.
