On December 10, 2024, at approximately 8:42 p.m., Santa Maria Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 300 block of West Sheila Lane. Upon arrival, they discovered 20-year-old Anthony Hernandez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds near a residence. Officers administered life-saving aid until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported Hernandez to Marian Regional Medical Center.
Despite these efforts, Hernandez succumbed to his injuries, and his death was classified as a homicide.
Following an intensive investigation, on December 27, 2024, around 2 a.m., the Santa Maria Police Department executed search warrants at three locations: two in the 300 blocks of West Newlove Drive and West Street in Santa Maria, and one in the 2900 block of Associated Road in Casmalia. These operations led to the arrests of three individuals connected to Hernandez's death. Eighteen-year-old Jesus Lopez-Ramirez and a 16-year-old male juvenile, both residents of Santa Maria, were arrested on suspicion of murder with gang enhancements. Additionally, 21-year-old Alex Lopez-Ramirez, also from Santa Maria, was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact. All three suspects were taken into custody without incident.
The Santa Maria Police Department has urged anyone with further information regarding this case to contact Detective Erik Hesch at 805-928-3781 ext. 1349, the SMPD Communications Center at ext. 2277, or the Anonymous Tip Line at ext. 2677. In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe page was established by Hernandez's family to assist with funeral expenses, highlighting the profound loss felt by his parents and four siblings. His sister described him as "kind, smart, funny, full of life," lamenting that he was "taken away from us too soon."
