On April 21, 2023, at approximately 9:31 p.m., the Tracy Police Department (TPD) responded to reports of gunfire near North Central Avenue and First Street in Tracy, California. Upon arrival, officers discovered 23-year-old Tracy resident Khyrei Ahmad Currie in the 100 block of East First Street, suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel treated Currie at the scene before transporting him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
The subsequent investigation led officers to McDonald Park, located in the 100 block of Central Avenue, where they found evidence linking the park to the shooting. TPD detectives from the General Investigations Unit (GIU) took over the case, working diligently to piece together the events leading to Currie's death. The incident was considered an isolated shooting, posing no ongoing threat to the broader Tracy community.
After a year-long investigation, TPD identified two suspects: 24-year-old Juan Santos of Tracy and 18-year-old Adrian Darbison of Manteca. On May 14, 2024, coordinated efforts involving TPD's GIU, Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Special Enforcement Team (SET), Crisis Response Unit (SWAT/CNT/Tac Dispatchers), Patrol Officers, and Crime Scene Technicians (CST) led to the execution of search and arrest warrants at multiple locations, including residences in Tracy, Manteca, and Ceres. Santos was arrested in Tracy, and Darbison in Manteca; both were charged with murder and conspiracy and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail.
The arrests marked a significant development in the case, bringing a measure of closure to the community and Currie's family. TPD acknowledged the collaborative efforts of neighboring law enforcement agencies, including the Manteca Police Department, Delta RATT, Ceres Police Department SWAT, and Turlock Police Department SWAT, whose assistance was instrumental in the successful resolution of the investigation.
Currie, born on February 12, 2000, in San Jose, California, had resided in Tracy since 2002. He graduated from Merrill F. West High School, where he was an active participant in several sports, with basketball being his favorite.
The investigation into Currie's death remains ongoing. TPD continues to encourage anyone with additional information to contact their General Investigations Unit or provide anonymous tips through Tracy Crime Stoppers.
