On the evening of June 22, 2024, at approximately 10:13 PM, a shooting occurred in the 400 block of North Benwiley Street in Santa Maria, California. The incident took place outside a residence hosting a large party. Upon arrival, officers discovered two male victims with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center, where 27-year-old Miguel Pablo-Morelos succumbed to his injuries.
The second victim, a 19-year-old male, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to recover.
The Santa Maria Police Department's Detective Bureau and Crime Lab promptly initiated an investigation. Detectives identified the suspected shooter as a 17-year-old male resident of Santa Maria with known gang affiliations. An arrest warrant for murder was obtained, and the suspect was located in Santa Barbara. On June 25, 2024, law enforcement executed a warrant operation in the 500 block of East Ortega Street in Santa Barbara, arresting the suspect without incident. Additionally, a 16-year-old male associate at the residence was arrested on an unrelated felony juvenile probation warrant. Both juveniles were booked into the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall.
This incident marked Santa Maria's first homicide of 2024. The investigation remained active, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact Detective Swenson or the Communications Center. Anonymous tips could also be submitted via the SMPD Tip Line.
In the wake of this tragedy, the community mourned the loss of Miguel Pablo-Morelos. A funeral mass was held on July 12, 2024, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, followed by burial at Santa Maria Cemetery.
The swift apprehension of the suspect demonstrated the commitment of law enforcement to addressing violent crime in the area. The Santa Maria Police Department continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
