Third suspect in slaying 'armed and dangerous'

Police are seeking information about the whereabouts of a third suspect wanted in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old Porterville man who was shot dead outside of a local convenience store on Feb. 3.

The suspect, identified by the Porterville Police Department as 19-year-old Arnold Sanchez of Porterville, is considered armed and dangerous and the public is asked to call police if they spot him.

On Tuesday, the PPD’s SWAT team served a search warrant on Sanchez’ home. Though he was not at the residence, detectives found evidence further linking him to his involvement in the shooting death of Salvador Garcia, the PPD reported.

According to police, Garcia was fatally shot as he sat in a car parked in front of the store at about 11:50 p.m. on Feb. 3 at Spirit gas station, 699 S. Plano St. The teen was waiting for a friend who was inside the store when he was approached by two men, one of whom pulled out a handgun and shot him in the chest, the PPD said.

Police believe Sanchez and Federico “Freddy” Mejia, who is currently in custody awaiting a preliminary hearing, approached Garcia and assaulted him prior to Mejia shooting him.

Mejia’s girlfriend Adriana Jaimez, also in custody awaiting a preliminary hearing, was driving the getaway car, the PPD said.

After the suspects fled, Garcia’s friends rushed him to Sierra View District Hospital where he died from a single gunshot wound.

The Tulare County District Attorney is alleging the crime was a street-gang murder.

A warrant for murder has been issued for Sanchez’s arrest.

Anyone with information regarding his location is asked to contact the PPD at 782-7400.

Contact Denise Madrid at 784-5000, Ext. 1047. Follow her on Twitter @DeniseMadrid_.