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Santa Maria police investigating 4th homicide in 4 months

Posted at 7:09 PM, Dec 09, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-10 00:45:24-05

Memorials stand two miles apart in Santa Maria, marking the spots where two men were killed in recent days.

The most recent death early Saturday morning is Santa Maria’s fourth homicide in four months.

A white cross near the intersection of West Bunny Street and North Blosser Road marks the place where Vicente De Jesus Medina Guerrero, 21, of Bakersfield died late Thursday.

Police said Guerrero died of multiple gunshot wounds. At last word, police are still looking for potential suspects.

Across town in the area of 300 West Enos Drive, a collection of flowers and balloons marks the spot where Adrian Alvarez, 18, was found dead after reports of gunshots.

In that case, detectives said previously that they’ve served warrants at a number of locations but have not released suspect information.

Police said Sunday that they’re doing all they can to keep the community safe.

“Any type of investigation like that creates some strain on the department,” Santa Maria Police Lt. Jesse Silva said. “But I can assure you that our detective bureau is working diligently to see that the suspects in these crimes are brought to justice.”

A 17-year-old boy was arrested in November for a murder at a West Gate Courtyards apartment.

A pair of Nipomo brothers was arrested for a murder on Bradley and Sunrise in September.

Lt. Silva said it’s too soon to call this recent rash of killings a trend and said violent crime in the city ebbs and flows.

Anyone with information about any of the murders is asked to contact law enforcement.