Santa Maria man arrested in connection to Friday morning’s fatal shooting
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Santa Maria Police Department announced that the suspected shooter in Friday morning's homicide has been arrested.
Officers identified 20-year-old Erik Rocha as the potential shooter on Saturday and a warrant was obtained for his arrest.
An extensive search and surveillance operation for Rocha in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office then ensued.
Police said Saturday night, around 9:27 p.m., detectives spotted Rocha riding a bike on Donovan Road at North Elm Street.
He was contacted by officers and immediately arrested. Rocha was later booked in the Santa Barbara County Jail on murder charges.
Officers said the shooting happened early Friday morning around 2:05 a.m. behind a 7-Eleven on the 100 block of East Grant Street.
29-year-old Frankie Placido Hernandez, of Santa Maria, was reportedly shot several times before driving away from the scene, attempting to get onto the 101 freeway. Police ultimately found Hernandez in a vehicle at the Broadway overpass. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to call the Santa Maria Police Department at 805-928-3781.
