Santa Maria police asking for public’s help to find suspect in deadly shooting

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Santa Maria Police Department is searching for a man wanted in connection to a deadly shooting that took place in May.

Police are asking for the public's help locating 21-year-old Alfredo Alaniz Jr., of Santa Maria, who is considered to the suspect in a shooting that left one man dead on May 16.

Alaniz is described as a Hispanic male, 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds with black hair and green eyes. He has a tattoo of an “S” on his right cheek and a tattoo of a ship on the left side of his head, police said.

He's wanted in connection to a shooting that happened in the early morning on Sunday, May 16 in the area of North Lincoln and West Mill streets. Police found a man lying in the street, dead from gunshot wounds. Police believe the shooting began as a verbal altercation that ended with the victim being shot.

Police say Alaniz is considered to be armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees him is asked not to confront him, but immediately call 911.

Anyone with information about this shooting or details about his location should contact the Santa Maria Police Department at 805-928-3781.