Father and son charged with murder and four counts of attempted murder in connection to November 1 shooting in Santa Maria
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – On Wednesday, Santa Barbara County District Attorney, John Savrnoch, announced charges of murder and attempted murder have been filed against Casey Jose Pacheco Hernandez and Casey Hernandez Junior in connection with a shooting on Nov. 1 of this year.
The father and son pair were both charged with the murder of Robert Estrada and four counts of attempted murder stated the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office in a press release about the charges Wednesday.
Casey Pacheco Hernandez is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, added the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office.
According to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, both entered not guilty pleas to all charged counts during their arraignment Wednesday and are being held at the Santa Barbara County Jail without bail.
On Nov. 1, around 12:46 a.m., officers were dispatched to reports of gunfire at a fast food restaurant in the 400 block of East Betteravia Road stated a press release from the Santa Maria Police Department.
According to Santa Maria Police, a dispute between two groups escalated into a shooting where two people were shot, an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old, and both were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center for treatement.
The 18-year-old, later identified as Robert Estrada of Nipomo, died from his injuries while at the hospital on Nov. 5, 2024, shared the Santa Maria Police Department.
The 17-year-old was transported with non-life-threatening injuries stated the Santa Maria Police Department.
Detectives began their investigation of the scene and identified two men as their primary suspects in the shooting: 41-year-old Casey Jose Pacheco Hernandez of Santa Maria and his 19-year-old son, Casey Hernandez Junior of Oceano explained the Santa Maria Police Department.
On Nov. 1, around 1:39 p.m., law enforcement executed a search warrant at Pacheco Hernandez's Santa Maria home where he was taken into custody and his son was later taken into custody in Oceano around 6:30 p.m. during a second search warrant operation shared the Santa Maria Police Department.
The vehicle allegedly used in the incident was found abandoned in Santa Maria and is now part of the evidence turned over to the District Attorney's Office, stated the Santa Maria Police Department.
Both men are due in court for a preliminary hearing setting on Nov. 14, 2024, in Department 8 of the Santa Maria Superior Court with Judge Denise Hippach presiding explained the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Violent Crimes Unit Detective Brian Santiago at 805-928-3781 ext. 1362.
