Incident Date: 10/12/23

City: Delano

Posted by: Media Relations

Arrest Made in July Murder of Delano Man

Around 1 a.m. on 7/22/23, TCSO Deputies were called to a shooting in the 200 block of Road 148 in Delano. Deputies and medical personnel arrived on scene and found 30-year-old Francisco Valencia of Delano shot to death.

On 10/12/23, 32-year-old Martinez Lombera of Earlimart was arrested in Delano for Valencia’s murder after a short pursuit with Delano Police Officers. He was then transferred to TCSO custody. Martinez was also on Sheriff Boudreaux’s Top Ten Most Wanted List for a 2022 kidnapping. He is currently being held held without bail on the kidnapping case and the murder charge.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218, or anonymously through our TipNow Program at (559) 725-4194 or tcso@tipnow.com.