On the night of October 18, 2019, 16-year-old Ignacio Nacho Lemus was shot to death in Earlimart, California. Deputies found Lemus at the intersection of Howard Road and Washington Street at about 10:22 p.m. with a fatal gunshot wound to his upper torso; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators identified two suspects: 18-year-old Jesus Fernandez of Earlimart and 19-year-old Vanessa Macias of Alpaugh. Both were arrested during a traffic stop the following morning and charged with one count of murder each; Fernandez was also charged with a separate felony assault with a firearm involving a different victim. The Tulare County District Attorney sought to hold both without bail, and a judge ordered them to remain in custody without bail. Family members, including Lemus’ mother, attended the October 22, 2019 arraignment and expressed their grief through an interpreter.

Reports say Lemus knew Macias and that tensions involving Fernandez, who was Macias’ boyfriend, were part of the events leading up to the shooting. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information to come forward.