On April 5, 2024, 23-year-old Venezuelan immigrant Alberto Vargas Quero was fatally shot outside Modern Hair Cuts barbershop near the intersection of Mission and 20th Streets in San Francisco's Mission District. Having arrived in the city just two days prior, this tragic incident occurred on his first day of work at the barbershop.
The San Francisco Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 1:37 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers found Vargas Quero suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Through their investigation, authorities identified 30-year-old Alexander Martinez of Richmond, California, as the suspect. Martinez was arrested later that evening around 10:20 p.m. in Richmond and charged with homicide. He pleaded not guilty to the murder charges during his arraignment.
In July 2024, following a two-day preliminary hearing, Judge Christine Van Aken ruled that Martinez would stand trial for the murder of Vargas Quero. The court also considered additional felony charges, including discharging a firearm from a vehicle.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Some reports suggest a trivial dispute may have escalated, leading to the fatal encounter. Vargas Quero's family continues to seek justice for his untimely death, mourning the loss of a young man who had recently embarked on a new chapter in San Francisco.
