Liliana Jimenez Santos was 10 when she was fatally shot on the night of July 17, 2021, while riding in a car on Hill Street in Arvin, California. She was with her father and her 12-year-old brother, Christian; both were wounded and hospitalized. The family had been returning home when their vehicle was targeted by gunfire.

Investigators concluded the shooting was gang-related. Prosecutors identified Jesus Everardo Rodriguez, 17 at the time, as a suspect and say he and others drove from Lamont to Arvin intending to target rival gang members after noticing the father wearing a hat associated with a local gang. Prosecutors say Rodriguez’s vehicle pulled up alongside the family’s car and a passenger opened fire. Rodriguez was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder; a judge later ordered he be tried as an adult. The prosecution says Rodriguez showed criminal sophistication and that rehabilitation efforts had failed; the defense disputed that he anticipated the night’s events and said he had been targeted in custody.

Liliana’s mother, Adriana Santos, has spoken publicly about the family’s loss and the community held vigils and memorials in Liliana’s memory. Authorities continue to seek information about additional people who may have been involved. Did anyone in Arvin have information about that night or the people who drove from Lamont?