AnonymousUPDATE:
Upon Erik Rocha’s identification as the suspect in this case, investigators from the Santa Maria Police Department, working in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, began an extensive search and surveillance operation.
On 5/29/21, at about 2127 hours, detectives located Rocha riding a bicycle on Donovan Road at N. Elm Street, where he was contacted and arrested for the murder of Frankie Placido Hernandez. Rocha was later booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for murder.
Source: Santa Maria Police Department
On Friday, May 28, 2021, at about 0205 hours, officers from the Santa Maria Police Department responded to a report of a shooting victim inside a vehicle near the Broadway overpass and the US101 freeway. Upon arrival, officers located male victim with apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim has been identified as 29-year-old Frankie Placido Hernandez, a Santa Maria resident.
During the subsequent investigation, the actual shooting scene was found near a business, located in the 100 block of E. Grant Street. Additionally, investigators have identified the suspect as 20-year-old Erik Fernandez Rocha, also a Santa Maria Resident (pictured). The exact motive for the shooting is still under investigation. This incident does not appear to be gang related.
An arrest warrant for murder has been issued for Erik Fernandez Rocha. Anyone with information as to Rocha’s whereabouts or information related to this investigation is encouraged to call the Santa Maria Police Department at (805)928-3781, ext. 2277; the tip line at (805)928-3781, ext. COPS (2677); or Detective Zack Robbins at (805)928-3781, ext. 1361.
