A Guadalupe man has been arrested in connection with fatal shooting more than four years ago in Santa Maria.

On Thursday afternoon, Santa Maria Police Department detectives conducted an arrest warrant operation in the city stemming from a 2018 murder investigation, Lt. Daniel Rios said. 

Israel De La Cruz Hernandez (SMPD photo)

Guadalupe resident Israel De La Cruz Hernandez, 21, was arrested on a warrant without incident, Rios added. 

The suspect has been linked to the Dec. 8, 2018, death of Adrian Zamora Alvarez, 18. 

Alvarez was shot and killed near the intersection of West Enos Drive and Thornburg Street. 

“This case has remained open and active since 2018,” Rios said, 

Detectives continued to investigate the shooting and deemed it to be related to gang activity, according to the police department.

In early 2023, detectives gathered further information and evidence that supported an arrest warrant being sought for Hernandez, according to police.

Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of murder and a gang enhancement. 

He remained in the custody of the Santa Barbara County Jail Thursday with bail set at $2 million.

Police asked that anyone with information related to this investigation to contact Detective Cazares at 805.928.3781, ext. 1319 or the Communications Center at 805.928.3781, ext. 2277.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.