Pismo Beach Police Arrest Gang Member, 15, in Murder of Fresno Man

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Published 2 years ago on

August 4, 2023

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Police in Pismo Beach say they’ve solved the Feb. 18 murder of a Fresno man in the town’s promenade area.

The police department there announced on Thursday the charging of a 15-year-old Hanford boy in the shooting death of Gustavo Aquino, 41, of Fresno.

Also charged with felonies stemming from the homicide were Daniel Jacob Santillana, 19, of Hanford, and Anthony Robert Hernandez, 19, of Delano.

They and the alleged 15-year-old triggerman are members or associates of a Hanford criminal street gang, police said.

All are in custody in their home counties.

Juvenile Returned to Argument With Gun

According to a news release, Santillana and two male juveniles got into an argument with Aquino shortly before midnight. During the altercation, the 15-year-old went to a nearby car, returned to the scene, and fired three rounds at Aquino.

The assailants and two female juveniles fled in a vehicle driven by Hernandez, police said. Aquino later died at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria.

30 Warrants Served in Investigation

Police said that about 30 warrants were served during the multi-agency investigation.

Also participating in the probe: San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office investigators, Kings County Major Crimes Unit, Hanford Police Department, Lemoore Police Department, Delano Police Department, and Kern County District Attorney’s Office.

“Their expertise and collaboration were instrumental in bringing this case to justice,” the Pismo Beach Police Department said.