DNA from a 2008 shooting death has led Tulare County cold case investigators to the man who allegedly killed Hernan Diaz.

Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward announced Wednesday morning that one count of murder and other felony charges have been filed against Louis Villarreal, 34.

At the time of Villarreal’s arrest last week, he was serving time in Tulare County Jail for a recent misdemeanor conviction, the DA’s office said.

Villarreal pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Monday. He is being held without bail. If Villarreal is convicted of murder, he faces life in prison.

Alleged Gang Hit

The DA’s office alleges that on Aug. 12, 2008, Villarreal shot Diaz multiple times through a bedroom window of an apartment complex in the 1300 block of East Birch Avenue in Tulare. It is further alleged that Villarreal was performing a gang hit.

The Tulare County District Attorney’s Office formed its cold case homicide unit in 2019.