Location: 700 Block of Soutth Oak St., Earlimart

Incident Date: 3/31/18, 3/20/19

Case Number: 18-04243

City: Earlimart

Posted by: Media Relations

Year-Long Murder Investigation Ends With Pixley Man Behind Bars

On March 31 2018, Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit began a murder investigation after a man was found dead in a vehicle in the 700 Block of south Oak Street in Earlimart. Investigators have identified the victim as 28-year-old Rogelio Gerardo Lopez of Earlimart. An autopsy report on Lopez determined the cause of death to be a single gunshot wound to the upper torso. 

Detectives from the TCSO Violent Crimes Unit completed a year-long investigation into the death of Lopez and found evidence identifying 30-year-old Jose Luis Garcia Hernandez of Pixley as the person responsible for the murder. Hernandez was arrested on March 20, 2019 for murder and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Adult Pre-Trial Facility. 

This case remains active and is currently under investigation. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call Detective Gregory Burns or Sgt. Gary Marks with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes unit at (559) 733-6218. Or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559)725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.