Photo: Stock Image
By F. Scott Faulkner
Santa Barbara County, CA
A fatal shooting in Santa Maria has led to felony charges against two adults and a juvenile,
including first-degree murder and gang-related offenses.
On January 3, 2025, Santa Maria police arrested 18-year-old Jesus Lopez-Ramirez, 21-year-old
Alex Brandon Lopez-Ramirez, and a 16-year-old juvenile in connection with the December 10,
2024 shooting that killed 20-yer-old Santa Maria resident Anthony Hernandez who died of
gunshot wounds on a downtown sidewalk.
According to Santa Maria Police Department spokesman Cmdr. Daniel Cohen, “based on
evidence gathered at the murder scene and the subsequent investigation by Santa Maria Police
Department detectives,” Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office prosecutors allege that
the murder was committed to further the activities of a criminal street gang.
Pursuant to their arrests, all three suspects were transported to Santa Barbara County Jail
facilities, where Jesus Lopez-Ramirez was charged with first-degree murder, possession of an
assault rifle, possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm, and street
terrorism. Alex Brandon Lopez-Ramirez was charged with possession of an assault rifle,
possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, street terrorism, and being an accessory after the
murder. The unnamed juvenile also faces first-degree murder charges with gang-related special
circumstances.
All three suspects remain in custody at the Santa Barbara County Jail. Bail for Jesus Lopez-
Ramirez and Alex Brandon Lopez-Ramirez was set at $2 million each.
