Location: 20400 block of Road 256, Strathmore

Incident Date: 3/9/17

Incident Time: 1315 hours

Case Number: 17-02856

Victim: Hispanic Male Adult

City: Strathmore

Posted by: Media Relations

*************************UPDATE********************************

Victim: Rudy Gabriel Florez,  28 years of age, resident of Visalia     

Suspect 1: Alejandro Ibarra, 28 years of age, resident of Lindsay –Charged with Murder/Conspiracy to commit murder 

New Arrests: 
Suspect 2: Julian Lemus, 20 years of age, resident of Lindsay-Charged with Murder/Conspiracy to commit murder 
Suspect 3: David Manzo, 19 years of age, resident of Lindsay-Charged with Murder/Conspiracy to commit murder 
Suspect 4: Frankie Tapia, 30 years of age, resident of Lindsay-Charged with Conspiracy to commit murder 

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit continued the investigation in the murder of Rudy Florez which resulted in three more arrests. In the early morning hours of March 29, 2017, nearly 50 Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office executed three search warrants in the City of Lindsay. While serving the search warrant, three additional suspects were arrested in connection with the murder. Julian Lemus, David Manzo and Frankie Tapia were all arrested during the operation and later booked at the Adult Pre-Trial Facility.  

The case is still an active investigation and more arrests are possible, anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Clower and/or Sergeant Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.

*************************UPDATE********************************

Victim: Rudy Gabriel Florez,  28 years of age, resident of Visalia     

Suspect: Alejandro Ibarra 28 years of age, resident of Lindsay 

After a 2-week investigation into the murder of Rudy Gabriel Florez, Violent Crime Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, along with assistance from the Sheriff's CATTCH (County Apprehension Team Tracking Criminals in Hiding) and TAGNET units (Tulare Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team), executed a search warrant on the 700 block of North Ash Street in the City of Lindsay, on March 22, 2017.

During the investigation, Detectives identified Alejandro Ibarra as the person responsible for the murder. Ibarra was contacted during the service of the search warrant and was arrested without incident. He was later booked at Adult Pre-Trial Facility for murder.  

No additional information will be released at this time.

The case is still an active investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Clower and/or Sergeant Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously at tcso@tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at 559-725-4194.

**********************UPDATE***********************************

Victim: Rudy Gabriel Florez  28 years of age, resident of Visalia     

On 3-14-17, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office completed an autopsy on the victim, Rudy Florez. The official cause of death was determined to be multiple penetrating gunshot wounds.   

The case is being investigated as a homicide. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Clower and/or Sergeant Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.

********************UPDATE*****************************************

The Coroner has released the name of the victim. He was Rudy Gabriel Florez, 28. 

*********************Original Press Release***********************

Victim: Hispanic Male Adult,  25-30 years of age    

On March 9, 2017 at approximately 1315 hours, Tulare County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the area of Avenue 204 and Road 256 in Strathmore in regards to an unresponsive male. Deputies arrived on scene and located the victim who was deceased. The unidentified male victim had visible trauma to the upper torso and foul play is suspected.

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff Department Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The case is being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Clower and/or Sergeant Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.