Advisory
UPDATE: Identification of Shooting Victims and Suspect Arrested
UPDATE: Identification of Shooting Victims and Suspect Arrested 
Case #: SMPD24-0008984
The Santa Maria Police Department is providing an update regarding the shooting incident that occurred on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at approximately 10:13 PM in the 400 block of N. Benwiley Street.
The victims of this tragic event have been identified as 27-year-old Miguel Pablo-Morelos, who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Marian Regional Medical Center. The second victim is a 19-year-old adult male resident of Santa Maria who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
Officers were dispatched to the scene following a report of a shooting outside a residence where a large party was being held. Both victims were found to have sustained gunshot wounds and were later transported to Marian Regional Medical Center for medical treatment.
The Santa Maria Police Department's Detective Bureau and Crime Lab responded to the scene, and the Detective Bureau took over the investigation that has been active and ongoing since initiated. Subsequently, investigators identified the shooter & male suspect in this case as a 17-year-old Santa Maria resident and known gang member. An arrest warrant for murder, and associated search warrants, were obtained for the suspect who was tracked to the Santa Barbara area.
Late Tuesday, June 25, 2024 into early Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the Santa Maria Police Department Detective Bureau, with assistance from investigators of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office & the Santa Barbara Police Department, conducted a warrant service operation in the 500 block of E. Ortega Street in the City of Santa Barbara. As a result, the 17-year-old suspect in this case was arrested without incident. A 16-year-old male juvenile and associate of the shooter who lived at the Ortega residence was also arrested on an unrelated and outstanding felony juvenile probation warrant. Both were transported and booked into the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall.
Individuals with any information related to this investigation are encouraged to contact Detective Swenson at (805) 928-3781 ext. 1648 or the Communications Center at (805) 928-3781 ext. 2277.
The SMPD Tip Line is also available for anonymous tips at (805) 928-3781 ext. 2677 (COPS).
Prepared by:
Daniel Rios, Lieutenant
Detective Bureau Supervisor
The Santa Maria Police Department is providing an update regarding the shooting incident that occurred on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at approximately 10:13 PM in the 400 block of N. Benwiley Street.
The victims of this tragic event have been identified as 27-year-old Miguel Pablo-Morelos, who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Marian Regional Medical Center. The second victim is a 19-year-old adult male resident of Santa Maria who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
Officers were dispatched to the scene following a report of a shooting outside a residence where a large party was being held. Both victims were found to have sustained gunshot wounds and were later transported to Marian Regional Medical Center for medical treatment.
The Santa Maria Police Department's Detective Bureau and Crime Lab responded to the scene, and the Detective Bureau took over the investigation that has been active and ongoing since initiated. Subsequently, investigators identified the shooter & male suspect in this case as a 17-year-old Santa Maria resident and known gang member. An arrest warrant for murder, and associated search warrants, were obtained for the suspect who was tracked to the Santa Barbara area.
Late Tuesday, June 25, 2024 into early Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the Santa Maria Police Department Detective Bureau, with assistance from investigators of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office & the Santa Barbara Police Department, conducted a warrant service operation in the 500 block of E. Ortega Street in the City of Santa Barbara. As a result, the 17-year-old suspect in this case was arrested without incident. A 16-year-old male juvenile and associate of the shooter who lived at the Ortega residence was also arrested on an unrelated and outstanding felony juvenile probation warrant. Both were transported and booked into the Santa Maria Juvenile Hall.
Individuals with any information related to this investigation are encouraged to contact Detective Swenson at (805) 928-3781 ext. 1648 or the Communications Center at (805) 928-3781 ext. 2277.
The SMPD Tip Line is also available for anonymous tips at (805) 928-3781 ext. 2677 (COPS).
Prepared by:
Daniel Rios, Lieutenant
Detective Bureau Supervisor
Address/Location
Santa Maria Police Department
1111 W Betteravia Rd
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-928-3781