Ariel Alexander Angel Peralez, 29, of Arvin, California, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene on May 24, 2022, in the 1200 block of Durham Street. Investigators report a romantic rivalry: Peralez and the accused, Armando Ortiz Jr., were involved with the same woman, and that conflict is described as the apparent motive for the shooting.

Surveillance footage captured Ortiz and another man walking through a parking lot where Peralez was also seen, though the actual shooting was not recorded. A witness — who was in custody on an unrelated matter — said they heard gunshots and saw Ortiz point an object at Peralez as he screamed and fell; that witness denied involvement in the homicide. Authorities also examined whether the encounter had been arranged, but the witness and his girlfriend denied setting up the meeting.

Ortiz was arrested, charged with first-degree murder, pleaded not guilty, and is being held without bail. Multiple court appearances have occurred and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for February. Does anyone have information about Peralez, his movements that night, or the people seen on the surveillance footage?