Santa Maria shooting victim identified by police

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Santa Maria Police detectives identified the victim in a fatal shooting on Tuesday afternoon.

The victim was identified as 38-year-old Rafael Santos Toribio from Santa Maria.

On Sunday at around 10 p.m., Santa Maria Police officers responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Boone and Curryer in Santa Maria.

They arrived on scene to find Toribio laying in the street with a gunshot wound, he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

During the investigation, detectives were able to gather evidence that led to the identity of the alleged suspect, identified as an 18-year-old Santa Maria man.

Police arrested the suspect at his home on murder charges.

He is booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail with a bail of $2 million.

Based on their investigation, the suspect along with others physically assaulted the victim during a dispute.

The altercation led to the suspect shooting the victim to his death.

Currently, police say they have not yet determined if this is gang related.

The case is still under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact Santa Maria Police Department at 805-928-3781.