Identity of Man Killed in Santa Maria Released

[UPDATE] Santa Maria Police have identified 28-year-old Pedro Antonio Lainez-Lopez from Santa Maria as the man who was shot and killed early Monday morning on the 1000 block of West Morrison.

Neighbors say the fatal shooting happened just before 6 a.m.

Ruben Royal heard the gunshots while laying in bed. He said he jumped up and ran to his son’s bedroom to grab and take him back into his room.” Royal has lived in the neighborhood for over a year. “Usually people will drive around drunk and crash into cars, not set of rounds of fire.”

Neighbors expressed that a homicide is not something they wanted to see days before Christmas.

Sgt. Paul Van with the Santa Maria Police Department said the victim was a man who “suffered multiple gun shot wounds.” He added, “they [first responders] attempted to render aid but ultimately [the victim] succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Investigators say the man was killed inside of a white Toyota Camry.

Law enforcement blocked off the road surrounding the scene for almost eight hours.

No suspect or suspects have been caught.

The Santa Maria Police Department said Monday’s homicide marks the city’s third homicide of 2014. They added that they do not believe this homicide was gang related.

Investigators requests anyone with information to contact the Santa Maria Police Department directly, and would like to remind the public that they can chose to remain anonymous.