Teen killed in aborted home invasion bled to death

RICHGROVE — A South County teenager who was killed late Tuesday during a home invasion robbery bled to death, according to autopsy results released today.

The autopsy revealed that Ricardo Lopez-Hernandez, 14, suffered a fatal stab wound, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department reports.

Authorities suspect the injury was inflicted as someone tried to gain entry into Lopez-Hernandez’s home. A 16-year-old Richgrove boy was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of killing Lopez-Hernandez.

The wounded teen called for help after being stabbed, alerting family members who where in the home at the time, the Sheriff’s Department reports. Four family members were not aware of the attempted home invasion until they heard the victim call for help.

Family members found Lopez-Hernandez in the dining room and called for medical assistance. He was declared dead at the scene.

No items were reported missing from the home.

Lopez-Hernandez’s home appears to be a random location: investigators reportedly found that several other apartments in the complex had doors and windows tampered with, the Sheriff’s Department reports.

Sheriff’s deputies responded at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday to the 600 block of Road 210 in Richgrove to check on an unresponsive juvenile.

Detectives concluded that the death occurred when the suspect allegedly tried to break into Lopez-Hernandez’s home, the Sheriff’s Department reports.

It’s not known if the incident is related to gang activity or if the victim knew the suspect, the Sheriff’s Department reports.

Additional suspects are being sought for questioning, authorities report.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call Detective Cesar Fernandez or Sgt. Jody Cox, 733-6218 or 1-800-808-0488.

-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1043.