Location: Howard and Washington, Earlimart

Incident Date: 10/18/19

Case Number: 19-13113

City: Earlimart

Posted by: Media Relations

Two Teens Behind Bars for Shooting Death of 16-Year-Old

On Friday, October 18, 2019 around 10:22 p.m., TCSO Deputies were called to the area of Howard and Washington in Earlimart for a shooting victim. Deputies arrived on scene and found 16-year-old Ignacio Lemus shot to death in the upper torso. 

Homicide Detectives arrived on scene and took over the investigation. Detectives found information identifying 18-year-old Jesus Fernandez of Earlimart and 19-year-old Vanessa Macias of Alpaugh, as the people who shot Lemus. 

Around 9 a.m., both were taken in custody during a traffic stop in the Earlimart area. They were arrested and booked on murder charges.

The motive for the shooting is still under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559)733-6218 or send anonymous information  via text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.