Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Four Men Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting of Teen in Santa Maria Parking Structure
A Washington man and three others have been apprehended by the Santa Maria Police Department in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenager in a parking structure nearly two years ago.
On February 4, 2022, Santa Maria police officers responded to multiple reports of a shooting at a city-owned parking structure near the Santa Maria Town Center mall. Lieutenant Daniel Rios stated that officers discovered 17-year-old Alexis Mendoza, who had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Additionally, a 24-year-old woman sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and was treated at a local hospital before being released.
Following the incident, detectives and crime lab personnel initiated an investigation, maintaining constant communication with the victim’s family. The ongoing investigation led to the identification of four documented gang members as suspects in the case, resulting in arrest warrants being issued for the murder of Mendoza, according to Rios.
With the assistance of the U.S. Marshal’s Office and Washington authorities, 22-year-old Alexis Ramirez Carmona was apprehended on November 22 in Lake Stevens, Washington, where he had been residing. He is currently awaiting extradition to Santa Barbara County.
Furthermore, three Santa Maria residents allegedly connected to the killing, including 20-year-old Irvin Yair Gabino and two 19-year-old males who were juveniles at the time, were already in custody for unrelated crimes. Gabino and the other two suspects were officially booked on Monday for charges related to the February 2022 killing. Due to their ages at the time of the shooting, the names of the 19-year-old individuals have not been disclosed.
It is worth noting that at least one of the suspects had previously been arrested for a different fatal shooting. All four suspects have been booked on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, and gang enhancement violations.
The lead investigator, Detective Cole Whitney, urges anyone with information related to this investigation to contact him at 805.928.3781, ext. 1329.
In conclusion, the arrests made in connection with the fatal shooting of the teenager in Santa Maria bring hope for justice to the victim’s family and the community. The ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies highlight their dedication to solving violent crimes and ensuring the safety of the public.