On February 4, 2023, at about 11:50 PM, officers from the Santa Maria Police Department responded to multiple reports of gunfire in the 400 block of North Railroad Avenue. Two adult men were found with gunshot wounds and taken to a local hospital; 40-year-old Robert Valencia died of his injuries. The other victim survived; no further medical details were released.

Robert Valencia was born September 17, 1982, in Othello, Washington, and grew up in Santa Maria. His family includes his mother Rosie Lara, stepfather Alfredo, children Arianna and Robert Jr., and siblings Richard, Raymond, and Sonya. Funeral services were held February 24, 2023, at Moreno Mortuary with burial at Santa Maria Cemetery.

Santa Maria detectives later identified 27-year-old Kevin Medrano as a suspect. On October 4, 2023, SMPD executed search and arrest warrants at Medrano’s home and booked him into the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of murder. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Brian Santiago at (805) 928-3781 ext. 1362.