Frankie Placido Hernandez, 29, was found dead of gunshot wounds inside a vehicle near the Broadway overpass and Highway 101 in Santa Maria on May 28, 2021. Investigators determined the shooting itself occurred near a business in the 100 block of E. Grant Street.

Santa Maria Police quickly identified and arrested 22-year-old Erik Rocha Fernandez less than a day after the killing; he was taken into custody while riding a bicycle on Donovan Road at N. Elm Street. Fernandez was charged with Hernandez’s murder and later pled guilty to first-degree murder, admitted to using a firearm in the crime, and also pled guilty to the attempted murder of another person and conspiracy to intimidate a witness by force or fear. The District Attorney’s Office announced a stipulated sentence of 10 years plus 25 years to life, and sentencing occurred in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Santa Maria Division, on May 5, 2023.

Authorities said the motive was initially unclear but that the shooting was not gang-related. If anyone knew Frankie, saw activity near E. Grant Street on May 28, 2021, or has other information, please share what is known with investigators.