Breaking News: Shooting at Santa Maria Fast Food Restaurant
A violent altercation between two groups at a fast food restaurant in Santa Maria escalated into a shooting, leaving two males with gunshot wounds. The incident occurred on Friday, November 1, at approximately 12:46 a.m. in the 400 block of E. Betteravia Rd.
According to police, an 18-year-old male is in critical condition, while a 17-year-old male sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Both victims were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center for treatment.
The Santa Maria Police Department’s Detective Bureau and Crime Lab responded to the scene, taking over the investigation. Detectives identified two suspects in connection with the shooting: 41-year-old Casey Jose Pacheco Hernandez of Santa Maria and his 19-year-old son, Casey Hernandez Junior, from Ocean.
A warrant service operation was executed by the Detective Bureau, supported by the SWAT team, at Pacheco Hernandez’s residence, where he was taken into custody. Hernandez Junior was apprehended later in Oceano, following a second warrant service operation.
The vehicle allegedly used during the crime was found abandoned in Santa Maria and has been secured as evidence. Both suspects were booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of attempted murder, with bail set at $2 million.
The SMPD is providing support to the victims’ families, and anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact Violent Crimes Unit Detective Brian Santiago at 805-928-3781, ext. 1362.